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Sean Clemons

A US company has acquired a historic real estate and construction consultancy that aims to create a global powerhouse.

RLF was founded in 1885 and has 100 employees in four UK offices in London, Birmingham, Brighton, Stevenage and Glasgow. The core services include cost management, project management, construction management, occupational safety and building surveying. It was acquired by MGAC, a North American project and cost management specialist.

The transaction will bring the company’s combined sales to £ 55 million and aims to create a global name in the project management and expense management sector with more than 270 employees in ten offices on two continents.

RLF’s current managing partner, David Thomson, has taken the opportunity to announce his resignation, with managing partner Sean Clemons unanimously elected to succeed him.

All RLF partners will remain in office as directors, with Chris Barker, Andy Dedma and Dorothy Robertson becoming executive directors overseeing the Midlands, London and Southeast regions and Scotland respectively.

Clemons said, “I would like to thank David Thomson for his excellent leadership over the past ten years. David has strengthened our business in many ways and positioned us to continue to excel in the future.

“Today is an incredibly exciting day for RLF and we look forward to working with our new MGAC colleagues in North America as we move forward and thrive. The additional investments, resources, experience and infrastructure will expand our offering to customers and expand our industry expertise. “

Founded in 1996, MGAC is privately held, employs more than 170 people, and is headquartered in Washington, DC.

Mark Anderson, President and Founder of MGAC added, “We quickly realized that RLF shared a vision with our company and that there was a real opportunity for strategic transatlantic expansion. We have been working in the UK for more than 20 years and have seen RLF as the ideal law firm for us to become more rooted in the country and across Europe.

“Our expanded business will create an impressive organization on two continents that will help turn the most ambitious project visions into reality. We believe that by combining tools and resources, we can add aviation fuel in the form of investment and energy to the UK business, giving our professionals better opportunities and better service to our customers around the world. We are very happy to welcome RLF to MGAC. “

Advisers for the transaction were not disclosed.