5th April 2007

RSK merges with Carter Ecological to become one of the UK’s largest ecological consultancies

A merger with 55-strong Carter Ecological Ltd has made RSK Group one of the UK’s largest ecological service providers.

The deal significantly bolsters RSK’s ability to undertake a wide range of specialist botanical and protected species surveys, to provide ecological clerks of work and to prepare ecological mitigation, conservation management and farm environment plans.

In particular, RSK’s landscape architects, archaeologists, environmental scientists and EcoHomes/ Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) specialists are expected to benefit from the additional ecological resources.

Since its formation in 1998, Carter Ecological has grown from a company of three to one of 50 specialist ecologists. Working across the energy, transport, government, property, coastal, estuarine and agricultural sectors, it services clients such as National Grid, BP, the National Trust, Natural England, the Environment Agency, Kent County Council and Liverpool 20/20.

Carter Ecological recently hit the headlines by seeing off competition from several multi-national companies to become the lead ecological contractor for the monumental £254m London CrossRail project.

RSK director Dr Janet Swan said:

“This is a major coup for the RSK Group and, at a time when businesses and organisations are under increasing pressure to consider ecological impacts, this will enable us to conduct almost all ecological services in-house. We hope this merger will make us not only the biggest ecological services provider in the UK, but also the best.”

Carter Ecological director Ben Wild said:

“The union should work very well. By working together, we will be able to take ownership of whole projects without the pain of subcontracting. Multi-disciplinary companies often find it hard to attract the top ecologists, whereas Carter Ecological attracts first class ecologists. The merger is an ideal match.”

In order to retain its strong brand identity, Carter Ecological will trade as RSK Carter Ecological Ltd.