International architect Pascall + Watson informed staff last week that it was the subject of takeover talks with Atkins, Britain’s largest consultant.
Building revealed last week that Atkins had approached Pascall + Watkins about a takeover, but neither party wished to comment at the time.
However, the architect’s management called all staff to a meeting at 10am last Thursday morning, ahead of the publication of the story.
Paul Ruggles, a director at Pascall + Watson, said: “We told staff we’d been approached by Atkins, that it was a serious offer and one we were considering.”
Directors went to offices in Heathrow, Putney and St Pancras to inform staff simultaneously of the offer. Workers at the firm’s Abu Dhabi office were also told.
Ruggles added that there were still matters to be negotiated, but that the merger would be beneficial for the company.
He said: “We’ve got our fair share of work over here and to do more airport work we need to be around the world; being part of Atkins would give us that step.”
Postscript
Read how Building broke news of the takeover talks in the archive section
