WYG hints at a repeat performance as it sets its sights on a British QS

White Young Green looks poised to buy a British QS, after announcing strong results and an intention to repeat its strategy for Ireland in the UK.

WYG increased turnover by 60% to £144m for the year to 30 June 2005. Pre-tax profit for the period is up 40% to £8.1m.

John Purvis, the firm’s chief executive, told QS News he would continue to broaden business activities and locations through acquisitions.

The firm said in its annual preliminary results statement: “The introduction of cost management skills into Ireland... offers a model for similar skills diversification in Great Britain.”

In 2004, WYG bought Denis Rooney Associates, which has allowed it to sell QSing in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

In the UK, WYG works with a number of QSs, including Corderoy, which sold its Edinburgh office to ChandlerKBS in May. The firm also works with Summers Inman, Tweeds, WT partnership, EC Harris and Davis Langdon.

The introduction of cost management skills into Ireland offers a model for similar skills diversification in Great Britain

White Young Green

WYG will continue its efforts to expand internationally, Purvis said. Earlier this year it bought IMC Consulting, whose clients include the EU and World Bank. This has led to a contract from the EU to provide high level consultancy services to Syria on issues such as urban planning, integrated transport and waste management.

WYG says 86% of 2005’s turnover figure was already secured for 2006. New project wins include a project management contract from the Local Government Association, which involves the relocation of six LGAs into two existing properties.

Purvis hinted that he would acquire further firms in order to plug gaps in WYG’s service.

For example, “we do property management work in the public sector, but we might move into the private sector and we don’t have any town planning in Scotland or Ireland.”

The firm’s core skill, engineering, now contributes only 50% of turnover.