Environmental consultancy CRA rebrands as GHD
CRA Europe, an environmental consultancy with offices in Nottingham and Liverpool, has – in line with CRA’s global integration strategy – rebranded as GHD. Looking ahead the UK-based management team expects the joining of forces to pave the way for further expansion, building on the combined strengths and heritage of both firms.
In July 2014, Canadian-headquartered Conestoga Rovers and Associates (CRA) and Australia-based Gutteridge Haskins and Davey (GHD) merged, turning two mid-range players into one of the top 20 players in the global environmental consulting sector. At the time of the merger, GHD (founded in 1928) boasted a workforce of over 5,500 staff across a network of 100 offices worldwide, while CRA (founded in 1976) had 3,000 professionals operating from 100 offices across North America and 2 in the UK. After closing of the merger, the firms had a combined revenue of nearly $1.5 billion.
Exactly one year after the deal’s closing, on 1 July 2015, upon completion of the integration phase, CRA adopted the GHD brand. “This is one of the largest true mergers to have occurred in our industry. We have added significant growth and scale to our business, while retaining the advantages of our private, employee-ownership business model for creating value for our clients and people. We are positioned for further growth, as we continue to expand our services across our clients’ asset value chain,” said Ian Shepherd, CEO of GHD at the time of the announcement.
Three months later the European business of CRA, which has offices in Nottingham and Liverpool, has followed suit and per 30 September rebranded as GHD. The CRA professionals based in the two offices will tie up their collaboration with GHD’s existing UK network, with key hubs in London and Leeds – jointly they employ 250 individuals across 10 offices. John Dutton, GHD’s UK Director, says: “We are positioned for further growth, as we continue to expand the range of services we offer in the UK. The GHD brand is renowned for client service and a culture of safety. Our reputation and ability to perform are based on the technical leadership of our people and their commitment to high standards of safety, quality and ethics.”
Nigel Leehane, GHD’s UK Environment Director and formerly CRA Europe’s Managing Director, adds, “Our progressive integration process has focused on maintaining continuity of service and a high level of responsiveness to clients. As part of GHD’s connected network of offices throughout the UK and around the world, we are able to bring greater innovation and efficiency to our clients’ projects.”
