If you’re hiring a project management consultancy, you may want to know: who are the top project management consultancies in the UK? Project management is a crucial aspect of delivering successful Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects, and getting the right people to do it will make your job easier. In our recent blog, we reviewed four ways to hire into your project management office. So, once you’ve made the decision to hire a project consultancy, here are some tips on what to look for and who to look at:
Who are their clients?
The Big Five consultancies in the UK – Deloitte, PwC, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and Accenture -all offer project management services and would naturally be considered up there as the top project management consultancies in the UK. However, they primarily work with blue-chip clients at the executive level on multi-million-pound contracts which you might be sub-contracting into. If you’re a smaller or medium-sized engineering firm, you may want a specialist project management consultancy who is used to working deeper within the supply chain on large-scale projects. Check who they’ve worked with before and whether their services are flexible to suit your cash flow and resource needs.
Which services do they offer?
For a project management consultancy to help you most effectively, you’ll need them to have the skills to handle project management, project controls, commercial and cost management, risk analysis and liaise with all your key stakeholders on your behalf. Given the amount of trust you’ll be placing with them, have a look at their Google reviews, testimonials or LinkedIn recommendations to see how well they’ll manage communications and opportunities to build great relationships with your key stakeholders. If their services are designed with structure, explaining some of the processes they follow, it gives a positive indication of their capability to support your project management systems. However, location matters too, if you want them out on site from time to time.
Where are the top project management consultancies based?
We’ve found the next tier of top project management consultancies who have expertise in engineering procurement and construction are based in the regions, not all in central London or the South East or Midlands strongholds. They stand out for their ability to support smaller and medium sized companies rather than large corporations. These firms provide tailored services and robust project systems. This makes them highly valuable partners for engineering firms navigating complex projects, who need to rapidly or temporarily expand their project management resources.
Who are the top Project Management Consultancies for Engineering?
1. Turner & Townsend
Specialties: Programme management, cost management, project management, and consulting. Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company headquartered in Leeds. They started out in 1946 in quantity surveying, moving into project and commercial management. They work across property, infrastructure, and natural resources, making them a key player in engineering project management. Their ability to support cost and risk management makes them a strong option for engineering firms managing complex projects. Their Google reviews include, “Highly professional consultants supporting clients on major projects in the construction industry.”
2. Buro Happold
Specialties: Engineering consultancy, planning, and project management. Buro Happold is well known for its work in structural and infrastructure projects. The firm provides integrated project management services for engineering-led developments, particularly in sustainability and smart infrastructure. Their Google reviews include, “Great company” and “excellent service.”
4. Arup Group
Specialties: Engineering design, architecture, planning, and advisory services. Arup is a respected engineering consultancy, headquartered in London. They work on large-scale projects, offering design, planning, project management and advisory services within engineering and infrastructure sectors.
5. RSK Group
Specialties: Environmental, engineering, and technical services. RSK Group operates as a collective, offering services across environmental, engineering, and technical sectors. Their consultancy support for infrastructure and EPC projects ensures that engineering firms can access specialised project management tailored to complex, regulated industries.
6. Galliford Try
Specialties: Construction and infrastructure project management. Galliford Try is a leading UK construction and infrastructure company that provides hands-on project management solutions for firms operating in highways, utilities, and the built environment. Their focus on delivering successful infrastructure projects makes them a strong choice for subcontractors seeking industry expertise.
Some of the consultancies specialise more closely in project and commercial management, such as:
7. Blueprint Project Solutions Ltd
Specialties: Project controls, project management, quantitative risk analysis and commercial management. Blueprint Project Solutions is a Gloucestershire-based management consultancy that specialises in supporting small and medium size engineering and construction firms. Their expertise in project controls and commercial management ensures that projects stay on track within schedule and budget, making them a valuable partner for reliable project management support.
8. CPC Project Services
Specialties: Project and programme management, infrastructure delivery, and strategic advisory. CPC Project Services is headquartered in London and provides comprehensive project and programme management services across sectors such as transport, infrastructure, and real estate. Their expertise lies in delivering complex projects through effective governance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
9. Ridge and Partners LLP
Specialties: Architecture, building services engineering, civil engineering, cost management, and project management. Ridge and Partners LLP is headquartered in Oxfordshire, and offers integrated services to clients across the UK. With a focus on quality, innovation, and sustainability, Ridge supports projects from conception through to completion, ensuring efficient and effective delivery.
10. G&H Group
Specialties: Mechanical and electrical engineering, public health services, and project management. G&H Group is based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, and specialises in the design, installation, and maintenance of building services. They offer comprehensive MEP solutions across various sectors, ensuring projects are delivered with technical excellence and operational efficiency.
11. Surrey MEP
Specialties: Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services. Surrey MEP is headquartered in Surrey and provides MEP design and project management services. They focus on delivering sustainable and cost-effective engineering solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial projects across the UK.
12. Pick Everard
Specialties: Architecture, engineering, project management, and cost consultancy. Pick Everard is headquartered in Leicester. They are a UK-based multidisciplinary consultancy offering a range of services including architecture, engineering, and project management. They are known for delivering tailored solutions that meet client needs across various sectors such as education, healthcare, and commercial development.
13. Burroughs
Specialties: Civil engineering, utilities, and project delivery. Burroughs is an established engineering consultancy based in Cardiff. They provide project management solutions across energy, transport, utilities, and commercial development, making them ideal for SMEs involved in regional infrastructure projects.
14. JCM Consultant Engineers Ltd
Specialties: Project engineering, feasibility studies, and construction management. JCMCE are based in Manchester and specialise in supporting energy and infrastructure projects through strategic planning and project execution, making them an essential consultancy for subcontractors in the EPC sector.
15. HMF Consultants
Specialties: Power system design, renewable energy, and network connections. HMF Consultants focus on delivering project management services for renewable energy projects, offering expertise in power infrastructure and engineering solutions.
For small and medium-sized engineering firms subcontracting on major EPC projects, choosing the right project management consultancy can make a significant difference in project efficiency and profitability. While large firms like Turner & Townsend and Arup provide broad engineering and consultancy services, specialised regional firms like Blueprint Project Solutions offer hands-on expertise tailored to SME needs and can offer localised on-site support while you’re navigating complex projects together.
By selecting the right consultancy, engineering firms can ensure smoother project execution, better risk management, and improved financial outcomes. If you’re looking for project management support tailored to your engineering business, exploring these consultancies is a great place to start. (Or, of course, you can talk to us at Coron Projects.)
