MIPIM | Buyer swoops for AA Projects

European consultancy Drees & Sommer has secured an initial minority investment in Sale-headquartered AA Projects as it looks to build its presence in the UK and Ireland.

As of this month, AA Projects will join forces with Drees & Sommer, under the new tag “AA Projects-Delivering Excellence with Drees & Sommer” with the intention that D&S will take over fully by the end of 2023.

Drees & Sommer has 46 locations in Europe, the Middle East, China and Asia Pacific, with more than 4,000 employees worldwide and an annual turnover of £429.8m in 2020.

The firm boasts expertise in all aspects of project and construction management, real estate design and engineering consultancy, alongside a range of specialist services focussed on technology and smart buildings.

D&S has a strong client base in private sectors, like the automotive, ICT, life sciences and property companies, with key clients including household names such as Mercedes, Siemens, Nokia, Roche and BMW.

AA Projects works from six UK locations, with 200 staff and clients across sectors including education, residential and healthcare.

Historic and current clients include DHL, Starwood Capital Group, UK Parliament, University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Oxford.

Steffen Szeidl, chief executive of Drees & Sommer, said, “We already have two offices in the UK, but our investment in AA Projects will provide significant opportunities to expand our UK business.

“With this merger, our clients will gain the best of both worlds – the German heritage for quality, precision and engineering combined with the UK’s reputation for flair and innovation in a respected regulated environment.

“This will cement our position as a leader in sustainability and digitisation, providing opportunities for clients on both sides of the Channel and further afield.”

Kenneth Wood, managing director of AA Projects, said: “This partnership will provide us with the springboard to expand in existing sectors and markets in the UK where we already have an excellent reputation.

“It will also enable us to combine our strong public sector expertise with Drees & Sommer’s high reputation in the private sector, not only in mainland Europe but across the world.”

Place North West MIPIM 2022 coverage is sponsored by Castle Green Homes