Shore and Quadrant Building Control, two firms of approved inspectors, are the latest additions to Socotec UK.

With its origins in France – in testing, inspection and certification – Socotec has grown both geographically and by specialisms through acquisitions

Socotec moved into the UK in 2017 with the acquisition of ESG, a provider of testing, inspection and certification services to the UK construction industry. It then acquired ITM Monitoring in 2018. A year later it took over Sussex-based Survey Associates and then building control specialist Butler & Young Group, including Butler & Young Approved Inspectors, Butler & Young Consultants and Trenton Fire.

In 2021 Tor Drilling become its fifth UK acquisition and last year it added Base Quantum, a quantity surveying, dispute resolution and expert witness practice, now rebranded as Socotec Advisory.

The addition of Shore and Quadrant means that Socotec UK now has 2,000 employees and close to £200m turnover.

Established in 2007, Quadrant Building Control doubled in size between 2018 and 2021 to employ 140 staff across 16 offices.

Shore was established in 2002 as a consultancy service in building control, health & safety and the CDM (Construction Design & Management) regulations.  Based in Essex, Shore has close to 40 staff.

Socotec UK chief executive Nicolas Detchepare said: “By acquiring Shore and Quadrant, Socotec UK has become the leading company in the UK building control sector, and a major player within the Building and Real Estate market, both in commercial and residential sectors.  With this leading position, Socotec UK will be able to provide a holistic approach, combining all building expertise, such as fire engineering, sustainability, structural engineering and building envelope, with significant expertise to support customers with the new Safety Bill requirements.  Consequently, Socotec will train more than 50 apprentices and recruit around 50 engineers each year in this area, and as the UK’s leading company in this sector, we will be able to attract and retain the best talent in the industry.”

 Hervé Montjotin, chief executive of the global Socotec group added: “With this strategic move in the UK, we are confirming our strong belief in the UK economy and notably in the dynamism of the construction and infrastructure industries. Socotec UK is now standing as the number one in building control in the UK, thus joining Socotec in France, ranked number one as well in the country. The group is paving the way for international leadership in risk management and technical advice in the building and infrastructure sectors, which is now within reach, with leading positions in Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain, and a recognised professional services company in the USA as well.”

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