Liverpool engineering consultancy Sutcliffe acquired by buy-and-build group Venn

Sutcliffe, a Liverpool engineering and building surveying consultancy founded in 1985, has been acquired by Venn HoldCo, a buy-and-build group bringing together consultancies serving the built environment.

Sutcliffe employs 70 people across offices in Liverpool, Manchester, North Wales, London and the Midlands, and designs around 5,000 homes a year. It reported income of £6.5m in its last financial year and is now targeting £10m within three years.

Chief executive Sean Keyes, who joined the business in 2001, will continue to lead it with the existing management team. Venn was founded in 2024 by Johannes Huttunen, a former partner at private equity firm HIG Capital, and Sutcliffe will become a cornerstone of its planned national group.

Sutcliffe was advised by DSG Accountants and law firm Napthens.