Dougall Baillie Associates (DBA) has been taken over by a new management team after a buyout by three long-serving directors.
Civil engineering director Scott MacPhail (pictured, centre left), structural engineering director Alan Ferns (pictured, pictured far left) and transportation director Stuart Harrow (pictured, far right) have taken over from managing director Fergus Adams (pictured, centre right), who has been owner for 16 years.
Adams will stay on as a non-equity holding director.
Bellwether Green acted on the legal side and Johnston Carmichael provided accountancy support for the deal.
MacPhail said: “While this is a momentous moment for the three of us and for the firm, it will be very much business as usual as we maintain continuity for our client base and seek to continue the firm’s steady growth trajectory.
“Since its establishment in 1985 by Willard Dougall and George Baillie, Dougall Baillie Associates has maintained a policy of developing talent from within its own ranks and, in making this decision, we see ourselves as the fourth cohort of the firm’s caretakers and custodians, tasked with looking after it for the next generation.
“We have just celebrated our 40th anniversary of positive engagement with Scotland’s construction and housebuilding industry and we have the greatest number of staff and the highest turnover in our history.”
MacPhail added: “The pipeline of work is as strong as ever and we will continue to serve existing clients as we develop new relationships.”
Ferns said: “As well as our strong presence in housing and infrastructure, with many valued clients such as Cala, Barratt, Allanwater and Miller Homes, we see a healthy future in sustainable energy activities such as wind farms and battery storage.
“We are receiving more and more enquiries about our expertise in these areas and we believe that demand for our services will only increase.”
Harrow said: “It has always been a primary aim of the firm to foster a team spirit and create a professionally satisfied workforce.
“Our people are the cornerstone of our success and we will continue to help them build the best possible careers.”
Adams said: “I have been immensely proud to lead DBA over the past 16 years. It has been a privilege to guide the firm to its current respected position within the sector, but it is now time for me to hand the reins over to the next generation of talent coming through.
“I could not pass the firm’s direction into better hands and I am sure the incoming management team will take Dougall Baillie Associates to new peaks of achievement.”
