Top 50 firms awarded 52bn of projects in the last year

Data published by Barbour ABI, ACE and UKCW, shows over a third of all new contracts were awarded to just five engineering firms.

New data from Barbour ABI reveals the engineering consultancy firms who are performing the best when it comes to contract awards.

Over £52bn of projects have been awarded to the top 50 civil engineering consultancies in the last 12 months, totalling just over 1,400 projects.

Top of the list is WSP, with 96 projects totalling nearly £7.5bn in value. Curtins Consulting Limited, Arup, Walsh Group and Ramboll UK make up the rest of the top five.

Between them, they are responsible for 37% of the work awarded in the last year.

The report, developed in partnership with the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) shows the volume of work being undertaken by these firms, something which CEO Kate Jennings says underlays the importance of their work.

“At the heart of the UK's economy lies the expertise and innovation of consultancy and engineering services,” she explained. “The industry serves as the backbone of economic growth.

““By collaborating in sectors spanning all aspects of infrastructure from energy, water, health, and construction more broadly, our members facilitate the development of transformative projects and initiatives that drive productivity, create jobs, and stimulate investment.

“It’s great to see so many of our members, and the wider sector, celebrated in this new publication.”

David Buckley, managing director at Barbour ABI, added that the information would be helpful to those further down the supply chain who want to be involved in these major projects.

“The UK construction industry is a large, fragmented one united through its determination to create a built environment that is better, safer, and fit for future purpose,” he said. “Whilst such levels of fragmentation can prevent systemic change, it is through collaboration that we achieve innovation and move the industry forward.

“We are delighted to partner with ACE in utilising our project intelligence to shine a light on such businesses providing services that galvanise the supply chain to innovate more quickly and at scale.”

The data follows a recent update from Barbour ABI following the publication of the National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. In it, the construction data analysts found that there had been a major shift in the way that large infrastructure projects are now being funded.

In 2019 public spending made up 67% of infrastructure projects. However, in 2023 this figure was just 36%. And, in certain segments of the market, public funding makes up the majority – for example, 92% of energy projects in the NCIP are listed as privately funded.

Notes to editors

The Top 50 Consultancies League Table was created in collaboration between Barbour ABI, Association for Consultancy and Engineering and UK Construction Week 2024.

Beyond the Infrastructure Pipeline is available to download for free at barbour-abi.com.

--Barbour ABI

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Back to back provisions in construction contacts.
• Benchmarking in the construction industry.
• Best value procurement.
• Bid evaluation.
• Compliant bid.
• Construction industry reports.
• Construction industry statistics.
• Contract award.
• Contracts under seal v under hand.
• Construction contract.
• Contract conditions.
• Contract documents.
• Contract negotiation.
• Engrossment.
• Guaranteed maximum price.
• Letter of award.
• Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT).
• Negotiated contract.
• OJEU procurement procedures.
• Procurement route.
• Record keeping.
• Sub-contract.
• Tender documentation.
• Tender processes.
• Types of consultant in the construction industry.
• Useful links for the construction industry.