Belfast-based building and construction consultancy Johnston Houston has been acquired by Drees & Sommer UK Ltd, a worldwide partner-managed team of over 6,000 employees across 63 offices.
A private partnership founded by Michael Johnston and Kerr Houston in 2007, Johnston Houston has an experienced 25-strong interdisciplinary team of building surveyors, cost consultants and project managers, all of whom will now become part of Drees & Sommer after the strategic merger.
Founded in 1970 and with experts across local, national and international real estate, industrial, energy and infrastructure sectors, Drees & Sommer is the European market leader in delivering strategic advice and consultancy to the built environment. In 2023 it was involved in 6,456 projects.
Johnston Houston will continue to develop its portfolio as ‘Johnston Houston – Part of Drees & Sommer’ under the leadership of the current partners Michael Johnston and Kerr Houston for 12 months, before officially rebranding to Drees & Sommer.
Kenneth Wood, managing director of Drees & Sommer UK and partner of Drees & Sommer said: “This acquisition represents a crucial milestone in our growth and greatly strengthens our position in the Irish market and enhances our ability to offer a diverse range of services across the island.”
Michael Johnston said: “Joining forces with Drees & Sommer is a tremendous opportunity for everyone involved with Johnston Houston.
“Our combined expertise and resources will allow us to deliver even greater value to our clients while maintaining the personal and proactive service they have come to expect. We are excited about the future and the new opportunities this partnership will bring.”
His fellow partner Kerr Houston added: “This merger will be an excellent opportunity for both our clients and staff to be part of an international organisation with very deep layers of expertise and experience across the full range of construction services.”
Steffen Szeidl, chief executive of Drees & Sommer SE, said: “This merger aligns with our vision of creating a stronger identity with a wider geographical reach. By combining our strengths, we are well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of our clients and drive innovation in the property and construction sectors.”