A surrey-based consultancy and support services provider to governments, financial organisations and blue-chip companies around the world has strengthened its defence systems operations following a multi-million pound deal.

A surrey-based consultancy and support services provider to governments, financial organisations and blue-chip companies around the world has strengthened its defence systems operations following a multi-million pound deal.

W S Atkins added defence consultancy Advantage Business Group to its portfolio after agreeing a £19.4 million deal. The consideration comprises £15.25 million in cash with the balance paid in loan notes, £1.7 million of which are redeemable after 18 months and £2.45 million after three years.

Advantage, which has 180 employees at offices in Farnham, Bristol, Gainsborough and Aberdeen, complements Atkins’ existing defence systems engineering operations as well as introducing airport systems and homeland security capabilities to its business.

The acquired business will become part of Atkins’ Design & Engineering Solutions division, which now has some 700 members of staff providing independent systems engineering and project management support for government and industry defence projects.