Pictured: Lindsay McCombe

Gleeds, the International Management and Construction Consultancy, which has its base in Birmingham has recently expanded its American operation by opening a new office in New York City following the acquisition of established local firm, ProjectConsult. It is expected that staff from the UK will be joining their American counterparts following completion of the merger.

Founded in 2004 by Paul Reimer, ProjectConsult is a consultancy in NY providing a premium cost and project management service across numerous sectors which include; education, aviation and commercial developments. With a project roster that includes the Metlife Stadium in Meadowlands home of the New York Jets and Giants, the Lakeside Centre at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, jetBlue Airlines facilities at JFK airport as well as numerous projects for Columbia University new campus in West Harlem. 

Based on West 17th Street in Manhattan, the move by Gleeds will enable the practice to expand their geographic reach across the United States, primarily targeting opportunities in the Eastern United States where 80% of the population resides.  This office will operate in addition to their existing base in Atlanta where projects are underway for Alabama State University, Atlanta Gas Light Company and the state of the art College of Dental Medicine for Georgia Health Sciences University in Augusta. 

Commenting on the acquisition, Lindsay McCombe, who is responsible for the Gleeds operation in Birmingham said; "We were approached by ProjectConsult 18 months ago and are delighted to have recently completed the deal. This is an excellent and successful niche practice which we intend to develop, harnessing their strong reputation for punching above their weight in terms of managing premium projects in one of the most vibrant, exciting and competitive markets in the world.  The US is emerging from recession and we are now in a good position to take advantage of the excellent opportunities that will be on offer working from the Eastern seaboard."

Gleeds will place the business under the President of Gleeds current American business operation, Chris Soffe, who will be responsible for building on the small team already in place at ProjectConsult. He said. "We are currently recruiting talent from the UK and the US to join the New York operation and together with our Atlanta team we would hope to have over 40 people driving the business forward. We are investing ahead of the upturn and expect to be in pole position when recovery comes. We are excited by the prospects of this young company that will now be considerably strengthened by the Gleeds brand and superbly positioned for future growth."