The creative industries sector has received a major vote of confidence, with Weston Williamson + Partners – one of the UK’s leading architecture and urban design practices – joining Egis, one of the world’s largest consulting, engineering and operating companies. Weston Williamson + Partners were assisted with the deal by a trio of advisors – Menzies LLP and BCMS provided corporate finance advice while DMH Stallard advised on the legal aspects.
Award-winning practice, Weston Williamson + Partners has studios in Manchester, London, Sydney and Melbourne, with a specific expertise in large-scale infrastructure, masterplanning and city-shaping projects. The firm has designed and delivered major infrastructure projects both in the UK and globally, including two soon-to-be-revealed Elizabeth Line stations at Paddington and Woolwich, Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel project, and new residential and mixed-use developments across London.
Egis is a leading international player working in the consulting, engineering and operating sectors, with operations in 120 countries worldwide. Recently, Egis composed the Paris 2050 Carbon Neutral Plan and is already working with some of the world’s leading architecture firms. Through investing in Weston Williamson + Partners’ talent and established global brand, the partnership opens up new international opportunities for the firm, expands the practice’s design capability and expertise, and strengthens Egis’ global presence in the infrastructure and design sectors. United, Egis and Weston Williamson + Partners share a strong combined skillset to address the climate emergency.
Today’s announcement reveals the purchase by Egis of a majority stake in Weston Williamson + Partners, with the practice’s brand, name and company leadership brought under the Egis umbrella. The deal will enable Weston Williamson + Partners to broaden its global reach and run for high profile projects in new markets. Leading the new Weston Williamson + Partners’ Board will be founding partners Chris Williamson and Rob Naybour as Chairman and CEO respectively, alongside Weston Williamson + Partners’ managing partner, Philip Breese, and four senior Egis-employed board members.
Rob Naybour, CEO at Weston Williamson + Partners, said:
“The advisory team headed up by Andrew Sims at BCMS, Kevin Paget and Ralph Mitchison at Menzies LLP, Helen Mead at DMH Stallard and Oliver Jankowsky at Hall & Wilcox were superb in helping us navigate what was an incredibly complex sale process – our sincerest thanks to them all.
“This was a challenging process, and we could not have done it without the teamwork and purpose displayed by our team. The advice was solid and collaborative, but the manner of working was superb; calm, considered yet firm when it was required.”
Kevin Paget, corporate finance director at Menzies LLP, said:
“It was a privilege to work with the Weston Williamson + Partners senior team and all the other advisers on this strategic cross border transaction, which will help Weston Williamson + Partners to strengthen its foothold in the global architecture market and continue to deliver major projects, including those helping to address the climate crisis.”
Andrew Sims of corporate finance advisor BCMS added:
“It has been a genuine pleasure to advise and support a sector-leading practice in our client Weston Williamson + Partners, which has built a global reputation for excellence in city shaping. Its strategic appeal to an experienced, international acquirer in Egis is clear to see, and the cultural fit between both parties was central to the deal. Due to the international footprint of both businesses, this transaction did have its complexities. But with advisors DMH Stallard, Menzies and Hall & Wilcox also on board, there was an extremely high level of skill, tenacity and professional expertise to hand, and a spirit of collaboration throughout.”
Helen Mead, Partner, DMH Stallard, said:
“We were delighted to help Weston Williamson + Partners move to the next exciting stage of their development, with the support of Egis. We look forward to watching their continued success as they offer clients an excellent service in all aspects of transport, infrastructure and the built environment in the UK and internationally.”