US architectural and engineering consultancy firm HDR is expanding its multidisciplinary building engineering services by acquiring UK engineering consultancy Hurley Palmer Flatt Group. Going forward, the firm will do business as HDR | Hurley Palmer Flatt Group.

The new acquisition brings together HDR’s global practice with HPF Group’s strategic locations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The acquired entity comprises all subsidiaries, which will also do business as HDR | Hurley Palmer Flatt; HDR | Andrew Reid; HDR | Bradbrook Consulting; and HDR | Concentre Consulting.

Independent engineering consultancy HPF Group’s services include mechanical, electrical and plumbing, civil and structural engineering and commissioning management, with particular specialism in institutional, high-rise multi-use, financial and commercial “smart” buildings. 

The firm also specialises in energy and sustainable “green” building design, and mission critical facilities and complex data centres, including digital management for buildings. Established in 1968, HPF now has more than 500 staff members in 10 offices, and has more than 500 active clients.

“HPF brings strong client relationships and specialised skill sets to HDR that, when combined with our capabilities, offer tremendous possibilities,” said HDR chairman and CEO Eric Keen. “By combining our teams of professionals, we will develop a stronger building engineering practice globally.”

Established for over 100 years, employee-owned consultancy HDR specialise in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services, and currently have more than 10,000 employees in more than 200 locations around the world.

“HDR is the perfect strategic fit for Hurley Palmer Flatt Group,” said Paul Flatt, HPF Group chairman and CEO. “The desire to have a meaningful impact on the organisation and to achieve strategic growth moving forward makes HDR the ideal partner.”

Flatt will join HDR as managing director. He has spent the majority of his career at Hurley Palmer Flatt, where he led the business through a phase of significant growth and transformed it into the largest privately owned international multidisciplinary engineering consultancy in the UK.