WSP Global has purchased Mouchel Consulting from Kier for £75 million.

The deal is expected to result in an immediate profit of around £40m for Kier.

The move is part of a strategic evaluation announced earlier this year by the firm, which looked into strategic options for the consultancy business including a possible disposal.

The consultancy reported revenue of £125m for the year ended 30 June 2016, generating an operating profit contribution of £8m and a profit before tax of £5m. The gross assets of the company, the subject of the disposal, were £29m at 30 June 2016.

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Mouchel Consulting has around 2,000 employees, mostly located in offices across the UK and Ireland, as well as a presence in the Middle East.

Mark Naysmith, Managing Director for WSP in the UK, said: "We are pleased to join forces with Mouchel Consulting, which is recognized as a highly successful firm in the UK, with a particularly strong public sector presence in transportation.

"Our combined expertise across the public and private sectors will enhance our design capabilities, providing greater depth and diversity in related skill sets. This will position us as trusted advisors, enabling us to deliver our clients' projects across the whole life cycle of their projects."

Miles Barnard, Managing Director of Mouchel Consulting, added: "We are pleased about the prospect of joining WSP, as our cultures are aligned and our operations are complementary, which should create new opportunities for our employees and clients."

(LM/JP)