Infrastructure consultancies MBB Group and iPLAN Consulting join forces

Two consultancies focused on project management advisory to the built environment – MBB Group and iPLAN Consulting – have joined forced to create a near 200-person consultancy firm with six offices across Australia and New Zealand.

The larger of the two firms, MBB Group, was founded in 2014 and today employs around 150 people working form hubs in Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Auckland.

MBB Group provides advisory services during the strategy, development, delivery and operations phases of construction and infrastructure projects. The firm provides counsel around planning, investments and commercials, advises on financial transactions, and supports the hands-on delivery of projects.

Founded in 2005, iPLAN Consulting specialising in planning and controls for projects within the built environment. The 25-person business operates from offices in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney.

Matthew Brook, Managing Director of MBB Group said that the joining of forces will benefit both businesses, while creating a strong group with a deeper and more diversified portfolio of services.

“Together, MBB Group and iPLAN Consulting will offer complementary services to new and existing clients and give them access to a full suite of advisory, project management, and integrated project controls services across all our office locations,” he said.

With deeper expertise in project controls, MBB Group can better help its clients keep their projects on track – a key capability in light of the growing number of capital projects that face delays and budget overruns. Robust project controls integrated across the project lifecycle can help mitigate predictable and often avoidable issues.

The move also sees MBB Group expands its coverage into Western Australia, with iPLAN Consulting having built a track record in Perth and the region.

Meanwhile, for iPLAN Consulting, the strategic partnership will see the firm benefit from an expanded offering, said Shane Chidgzey, Managing Director of the company.

“Our team are now a part of a leading, national infrastructure advisory business with great experience and an excellent reputation [MBB Group was recently named among Australia’s top consulting firms], which enables us to implement our services at an earlier stage of the project lifecycle, while simultaneously expanding our service offering.”

Both firms will continue to serve the market under their own brand. Terms and conditions of the deal have not been disclosed.