Deal intended to capitalise on expected growth in UK healthcare sector over next few years

AD Architects Queen Alexandra 1

Source: AD Architects

AD Architects’ designs for a £60m emergency department at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth

Belgian practice VK Architects & Engineers has acquired UK healthcare specialist AD Architects for an undisclosed sum.

The deal, concluded on 30 May, is intended to strengthen VK’s presence in the UK healthcare market - which is expected to grow by more than 20% by 2025 due partly to the government’s £40bn hospital-building programme.

AD Architect’s projects include a £60m emergency department at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, a new surgery building at Poole Hospital in Dorset and a £130m masterplan for Basildon, Southend and Chelmsford hospitals.

The practice, which has offices in Hertford and London, employed 15 people in its latest accounts for the year ending 31 August 2021 with total equity of £411,000 and turnover north of £1m.

Managing director Jim Haigh, who will assume the role of healthcare director at VK, said the acquisition will allow AD Architects to take on larger healthcare design projects.

AD Architects technical director Adam Scott added: “The combination of experience of the AD Architects with the VK Architects & Engineers healthcare teams will bring opportunities for both teams to take the next steps in healthcare design”

The practice will continue to operate under the same name but will now be a wholly owned subsidiary of VK Architects. The latter will also re-open its London office.