Drees & Sommer UK acquires Northern Irish consultancy Johnston Houston

We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Johnston Houston, a renowned property and construction consultancy based in Belfast. This merger, effective from 30th September 2024, marks a significant milestone in our mission to expand our footprint in the UK and Ireland, enhancing our service offerings and market presence.

A dynamic private partnership founded by Michael Johnston and Kerr Houston in 2007, Johnston Houston boasts an experienced, 25-strong interdisciplinary team of building surveyors, cost consultants and project managers, all of which will now become part of Drees & Sommer, after the strategic merger.

Kenneth Wood, Managing Director of Drees & Sommer UK and Partner of Drees & Sommer, highlighted the benefits of the merger: “The acquisition of Johnston Houston greatly strengthens our position in the Irish market and enhances our ability to offer a diverse range of services across the island. This important move representing a crucial milestone in our growth across the UK and Ireland, and we are thrilled to welcome Johnston Houston to the Drees & Sommer family.”

Michael Johnston, Partner at Johnston Houston, expressed his enthusiasm for the merger: “Joining forces with Drees & Sommer is a tremendous opportunity for everyone involved with Johnston Houston. Our combined expertise and resources will allow us to deliver even greater value to our clients while maintaining the personal and proactive service they have come to expect.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed to Johnston Houston over the years and are excited about the future and the new opportunities this partnership will bring.”

Kerr Houston, Partner at Johnston Houston, added: “This merger will be an excellent opportunity for both our clients and staff to be part of an international organisation with very deep layers of expertise and experience across the full range of construction services.

“Both Michael and I are very much looking forward to developing Drees & Sommer in our market, remaining totally committed to our clients and offering our staff all the opportunity that comes with being part of a global business.”

Steffen Szeidl, CEO of Drees & Sommer SE, commented: “This merger aligns with our vision of creating a stronger identity with a wider geographical reach. By combining our strengths, we are well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of our clients and drive innovation in the property and construction sectors.”

Johnston Houston will continue to develop its portfolio as ‘Johnston Houston – Part of Drees & Sommer’ under the leadership of the current partners Michael Johnston and Kerr Houston. This will be in place for 12 months, before rebranding to Drees & Sommer.

We look forward to embarking on this exciting journey together and continuing to deliver exceptional service to our valued clients.