The alliance's managing director, John Leuchars, said the arrangement would allow it to take on competitors such as Arup. He said: "Arup is obviously our major target but it would be fair to say we're trying to emulate it as well." He said the link-up was not a merger but a way of giving the firms access to each other's staff. This would allow them to call on more than 800 building engineers around the world.
Leuchars added: "By doing this, we hope to expand throughout the world. This is the way I think a lot of companies will go. Clients want international expertise locally available and this will allow us to do that." The firms considered a merger but decided it would be too bureaucratic. The alliance does not include Mott MacDonald's civil engineering and infrastructure divisions.
The firms are acting as design engineers for Wembley stadium and have worked on Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok airport.
