The UK-based Atkins has announced the acquisition of Howard Humphreys East Africa Limited Group, a multi-disciplinary consultancy based in Kenya and Tanzania which employs around 200 people.
Although Atkins did not reveal the amount that the company was acquired for, it has said that the transaction will be completed in approximately three months.
Paul Shepherd-Smith will lead Atkins’ operations in Africa as part of an enlarged Middle East & Africa (ME&A) business, and will report to ME&A regional chief executive officer Simon Moon.
Howard Humpreys has experience primarily in the infrastructure market in East Africa, and has also provided engineering consultancy and project management services in the transportation, water and property markets.
Recent projects include the new airport terminals at the international airports in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam; geothermal power projects in Kenya for the Kenya Electricity Generating Company and independent power producers; and the design and construction supervision of an 18,000 square meters office tower in Upperhill, Nairobi.
“We know from long experience that in order to achieve sustainable success in any market, we need to have a strong presence on the ground. This gives us local knowledge and enables us to build close relationships with our clients based on the excellent reputation of both Howard Humphreys locally and Atkins internationally,” said Moon.
“Atkins has worked closely with the Howard Humphrey’s team for many years, and this acquisition is therefore absolutely the right move for our group’s growth strategy in Africa.”
Kanwal Syan, managing director of Howard Humphreys also commented saying: “We’re extremely excited to become part of Atkins. The opportunities in East Africa are immense.”