RSK Group meets growing demand for planning and landscape services in the renewables sector

RSK Group Ltd, a leading integrated environmental, engineering and technical services business, has acquired UK planning and landscape services provider Stephenson Halliday Ltd. The expansion comes as the UK and Ireland’s transition to greener energy accelerates, leading to a growing demand for planning and landscape services in the renewables sector. As the UK now races to meet its goal of net zero emissions by 2050 and ‘affordable and clean energy’ is a top priority as it is one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, planning and landscape services will be vital to ensure the government’s green energy plans become reality. These services will be crucial in both the generation and transmission of renewable energy, including for solar and wind power.

With offices in Kendal, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Wetherby (all UK) and Wexford, Ireland, the 30-employee-strong business consists of a team of experienced planning and landscape directors, landscape architects, chartered planners, graphics specialists and practice managers, who provide effective and sustainable solutions to assist clients in realising their development aspirations. Founded in 2001, the multidisciplinary business works across the energy, infrastructure, minerals, waste and built and rural development sectors and provides professional services across four broad categories: planning; environmental impact assessment (EIA); landscape; and graphics.

The existing RSK Landscape business will integrate into Stephenson Halliday, which will continue to be led by Managing Director Ken Halliday. Chris Frain, previously RSK Landscape Director, will join the leadership team as Operations Director.

“We are delighted to bring Stephenson Halliday’s experience and expertise into the group,” says Chris Frain. “Together, we are well-equipped to provide a full range of planning and landscape services on projects of all sizes with backing from supporting services from the wider RSK group. Our landscape teams complement each other superbly and joining together will cement us as the practice of choice for integrated nature-based and systems-based landscape planning, design, and management services.”

Alan Ryder, RSK Chief Executive Officer and founder adds, “Welcoming Stephenson Halliday into our business greatly advances our position in the UK planning and landscape market, an area where we expect to see growth over the coming years, particularly in relation to renewable energy. We are proud to be a part of the UK and Ireland’s transition to greener energy and with our strengthened offering we are well-placed to play our part.”

Ken Halliday, Stephenson Halliday Managing Director, comments, “This acquisition comes at a hugely exciting time for Stephenson Halliday as we celebrate our 20^th year in business. We are looking forward to accelerating our growth plans and exploring the exciting opportunities that will arise as part of the RSK group. As we have already worked successfully together, we are confident that this is the right fit for our business and could not wish for a better partner than RSK.”

Based on its current trajectory and strategy, the rapidly expanding group anticipates that by 2025 it will be delivering an annual turnover of £1 billion and will employ 10,000 people around the world. RSK is actively investing in the development of new businesses and bolt-on acquisitions, as well as equipment and facilities, to provide end-to-end solutions to a wide, international client base.

For more information about the RSK group’s planning and landscape services, please contact Ken Halliday.