A Bristol engineering design consultancy has acquired a 20-strong counterpart in Yorkshire. MRB Consulting Engineers, which has been acquired by Hydrock, is based in Wetherby and provides building services design and environmental engineering consultancy services on a wide range of property schemes in northern England and across the UK.

The company recently completed the building services design for the new headquarters of Leeds-based law firm Walker Morris, as well as projects at The Spa at Rudding Park and the Yorkshire Event Centre at the Yorkshire Showground.

“This is a great strategic move for both Hydrock and MRB. It provides us with a base in a key geographic location giving access to the strong property development market in and around Leeds and across Yorkshire. It also enables MRB to realise their growth plan which is fuelled by the strong relationships they have established over the past 12 years with a high calibre set of clients,” said Dr Brian McConnell, Hydrock chief executive.

“Our new colleagues from MRB are warmly welcomed into the Hydrock team. Our cultural values and the way we build relationships with clients has been core to the long-term success of Hydrock. Having spent time with MRB’s leadership team I know we are aligned in these areas and this will make the transition for both clients and staff very easy.”

The acquisition strengthens Hydrock’s energy and sustainability offering in the built environment and existing UK office network by adding a base in Yorkshire.

Led by John McElwee, MRB will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hydrock trading under the name of Hydrock MRB as a separate operating division for the foreseeable future.

“I am very proud of the business we have developed at MRB. Joining Hydrock, a well-respected, employee-focused company, is the perfect next step for the ambitions of our team and the growth of our client offer. I’ve got to know several of the Hydrock senior team over the past few months, and the obvious synergies in our staff culture and client approach makes me very excited for the future,” added MRB managing director John McElwee.

Hydrock is headquartered at Almondsbury in South Gloucestershire with offices in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow and Southampton. It employs about 450 staff across the UK.

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