A 161-year-old Belfast construction consultancy, WH Stephens, has entered a new phase of growth after selling a significant equity stake to Gardiner & Theobald, a UK-based construction and property consultancy backed by a Toronto-based private investment firm.

Founded in 1865, WH Stephens provides multidisciplinary construction consultancy services across Ireland and parts of the UK, including project management, cost management, building surveying, and quantity surveying. The company’s current portfolio spans health, education, commercial, leisure, residential, and hotel sectors.

The investment was facilitated by KBS Corporate, with Guy Haynes, KBS corporate director, advising on the transaction. Gardiner & Theobald, which was founded in 1835, operates from offices in the UK, US, and Ireland and is backed by Hennick & Company, a Toronto-based private investment firm focused on professional services in architectural, building design, and construction consultancy sectors.

Denis McCotter, managing director of WH Stephens, said the investment creates a platform for the firm to grow further, take on more ambitious projects, and strengthen its presence across Ireland.

“We are confident it creates the platform to grow further, take on more ambitious commissions, and strengthen our presence across Ireland,” McCotter said. “We look forward to working closely with our new colleagues and exploring the opportunities this brings for our clients and our people.”

Denis McCotter and the senior leadership team will retain a significant equity stake in WH Stephens, remain in their current roles, and continue to manage day-to-day operations. This ownership structure also provides a pathway for future generations of employees to become equity shareholders over time.

Adam Glover, managing partner of Gardiner & Theobald, said the investment marks an important milestone in the firm’s long-term growth in Ireland.

“This investment in WH Stephens is an important milestone in G&T’s long-term growth in Ireland and complements our wider business in the UK and US,” Glover said. “Together, we can expand our reach across Ireland, pursue larger and more complex public and private sector opportunities, and deliver an even higher level of expertise and value to clients.”

Gardiner & Theobald emphasized the strong cultural fit with WH Stephens and expressed excitement about working alongside the firm’s talented team to grow the business across all sectors of the built environment.