Leading specialist engineering company joins RSK

Leading environmental, engineering and technical services business RSK Group Ltd is pleased to announce it has added specialist engineering company Richard Allitt Associates (RAA) to its thriving portfolio.

Operating across the UK from two offices in Staplefield, West Sussex, and Altrincham, Greater Manchester, RAA is a specialist provider of hydraulic modelling, surface water management and flood risk consultancy for the urban drainage industry, delivering innovative solutions for the complex needs of its customers.

Established in 1996 by Richard and Kathryn Allitt, the company has almost three decades of experience resolving flooding problems in the urban environment and a long track record in the provision of flood risk consultancy services.

These include hydraulic modelling, urban flood forecasting, catchment planning, hydrology, surface water and drainage assessments and flood risk management.

Alongside these hydraulic modelling and flood risk management services, the company also operates Remote Aerial Surveys (RAS), a specialist drone survey division offering high-quality mapping and state-of-the-art aerial surveys.

In joining forces with RSK, this latest acquisition will complement the skills of existing water service providers within the RSK group, including Binnies, MWH Treatment, WRc and Nicholas O’Dwyer, to offer a wider suite of services to meet the scope of client demands.

The company will join RSK’s Binnies division, led by Divisional Director Gary Young. As part of the transition, current Managing Director Richard Allitt will step down but will continue with the business for the next year as a part-time consultant. Meanwhile, Martin Allitt will take over the role of Managing Director, supported by John Hilson, who will remain as Northern Director. Kathryn Allitt will be retiring in April.

The strategic acquisition supports RSK’s ambitious diversification strategy that has seen the group expand rapidly in recent years to provide clients with practical solutions to some of the greatest challenges societies have ever faced.

Alan Ryder, founder and Chief Executive Officer of RSK, said: “We are delighted to welcome Richard Allitt Associates into our group. Working across a range of clients, from water companies to government agencies and Lead Local Flood Authorities, as well as in the private sector, the company has grown into a leading specialist provider of hydraulic modelling, flood risk management and surface water management and is highly regarded in the industry for using state-of-the-art hydraulic modelling techniques.

“I am particularly excited that RAA will bring a dedicated, specialist wastewater network modelling business to the group, enabling us to respond to the forecast increase in this growing market, driven by the new Environment Bill. RAA will also add a variety of complementary capabilities to the existing water services within the group, aligning well with the skills of Binnies, MWH Treatment, WRc and Nicholas O’Dwyer.

“I am very pleased to welcome the company into the RSK group.”

Commenting on the acquisition, founder and current Managing Director Richard Allitt said: “Having spent nearly three decades building this business into a specialised and highly regarded engineering firm within the industry, it was key for us to find the right partner to help us carry on the high level of work that we have provided to our clients over the years.

“Equally as important was for us to ensure that our employees would be able to continue to provide the same quality of work as they have been and for them to see a clear career progression, job satisfaction and challenging opportunities going forward.”

Martin Allitt, Director and incoming Managing Director, added: “The acquisition of our company by RSK marks an exciting change for our business that will see our employees and activities continuing as normal under the RAA brand while taking advantage of the support of the well-respected organisation that is the RSK group and the associated benefits of being able to complement and leverage the existing skills of partner companies within the group.

“This acquisition represents a fantastic opportunity for us as a business, enabling us to continue to serve our existing clients with leading-edge solutions and giving us the chance to grow with the support of outstanding businesses in our sector.”