RSK Group has significantly strengthened its position in the UK transport infrastructure sector with the acquisition of Octavius Infrastructure from Sullivan Street Partners.
Octavius is one of the UK’s leading civil engineering and electrification specialists, employing more than 700 people across rail and highways. The company has long-standing relationships with major clients including Network Rail, National Highways and Transport for London, and operates across more than 30 frameworks. These include representation in every Network Rail region in England and Wales, participation in the Southern Renewals Enterprise for Electrification and Plant, the M25 Lifecycle and Call-Off Framework Agreement for Connect Plus, as well as multiple local and regional authority frameworks nationwide.
Its current project portfolio includes the refurbishment of Ryde Pier on the Isle of Wight and the Waterloo Station roof, construction of new stations at Okehampton and Charfield, the A46 Walsgrave Junction upgrade, a new link road in Colchester and delivery of the newly opened A140 Long Stratton Bypass.
Octavius will continue to operate under Chief Executive Officer John Dowsett, supported by managing directors Matt Smith (rail) and Gavin Pritchard (highways).
The acquisition marks a major strategic move for RSK. Infrastructure accounted for 14% of the group’s revenue last year and was its fastest-growing segment, rising 36% compared with the previous year. Bringing Octavius into the group significantly accelerates this growth, giving RSK a substantial Tier 1 presence in both rail and highways.
John Dowsett, CEO of Octavius, said:
“I am very excited about joining the RSK Group and embarking on the next stage of the Octavius journey. Having thrived under the ownership of Sullivan Street Partners, expanding our capabilities, reputation, revenue and profitability, RSK feels like the natural long-term home for us to continue our ambitious growth plans.
We will retain our proud Octavius brand and maintain a strong level of autonomy, while enjoying a wealth of support from the considerable expertise within the RSK Group. We have a strong cultural fit with RSK, with complementary strengths, and share a vision for ambitious but sustainable growth, delivered with an unwavering commitment to the safety, health and wellbeing of our people and our environment. I am looking forward to working closely with the RSK leadership team and our partner businesses to deliver the Octavius vision of being the most respected transport infrastructure provider.”
RSK Founder and CEO Alan Ryder said:
“I am very proud to see Octavius, a high quality and trusted partner in the UK rail and highway sectors, choose RSK as its long-term home. John and his team have built a remarkable business, and I look forward to working with them as they continue to lead Octavius through many more successes.”
He added:
“Infrastructure is one of RSK’s core strategic growth markets and, in Octavius, we have found a large, well-established business with a proven track record in safety-critical infrastructure delivery. With many complementary businesses already in the group, we see significant opportunity for collaboration, further improving the value we can bring to our shared client base.”
Layton Tamberlin, Founding Partner of Sullivan Street, said:
“Our journey with Octavius has been a fantastic one. From carving out the business, to executing the organic growth plan and adding additional capabilities through add-ons, the business has been transformed into a national player of considerable scale. It has been a pleasure working with this excellent management team throughout our ownership, and we have every confidence that Octavius will continue to thrive as part of RSK Group.”
