EC Harris Partners Approve ARCADIS Merger

EC Harris’s merger with ARCADIS, the global multidisciplinary professional services company, has been officially approved following a formal vote by the firm’s 183 partners. The vote, which took place on 31st October, saw an overwhelming majority of partners back the deal with 99.5% agreeing to the proposals.

Now that the merger has been formally approved, the deal will be completed on 4th November 2011.

Philip Youell, Chief Executive of EC Harris said: “I am delighted that our Partners have ratified the proposals and we can now proceed to merge with ARCADIS.  Since announcing our plans we have had an overwhelmingly positive reaction from our Partners, people, clients and the market.  ARCADIS and EC Harris are a natural fit and there is genuine excitement about the opportunities that the merger presents.  We will now begin the process of integrating our two firms, with EC Harris retaining its brand within the wider group.  I am looking forward to working with our new colleagues at ARCADIS to meet our clients’ needs.”

Harrie Noy, Chief Executive of ARCADIS said: “I am extremely pleased that the partners of EC Harris have acknowledged the great strategic benefits of this merger. I truly believe that the leadership position our combined firms have in project management and related consultancy services offers genuine opportunities for expansion in key emerging markets while at the same time giving us a strong base in the well-developed UK consultancy market, a position we have aspired to achieve for many years. We welcome the strength of the EC Harris brand and the leadership they bring to ARCADIS and are excited about the synergy opportunities.”

Through this merger the company will grow to almost 19,000 professionals and €2.3 billion revenues and have the scale and expertise to deliver even better outcomes for clients across the globe.  EC Harris will continue to operate as a partnership and the EC Harris brand identity will be retained.  EC Harris will take up a company-wide remit within ARCADIS, taking up a leadership role in the global Buildings business line and driving the development of the Programme and Project Management services. EC Harris will bring their built asset consultancy approach to the wider ARCADIS business, taking a leading role in the UK, Middle East and Asia.