From Little HS2 Acorns: Global Engineering Giant Chooses Birmingham For Growth

One of the largest independent engineering consultancies in the world has chosen Birmingham for the expansion of its operations in the UK on the back of the HS2 high speed train investment, and its office in the city could be substantial.

Singapore-headquartered Meinhardt has invested in new offices in Birmingham’s Two Snowhill as it looks to capitalise on a growing workload in the Midlands region.

Managing director David Sharp is clear that he had developed the London office from nothing to more than 100 employees and sees no reason why the Birmingham office could not do the same.

"In essence Meinhardt's global board is looking at further expansion and when it came to the UK, they made a strategic decision that Birmingham was the ideal place for investment," he said. "Attracting Jason Fox as regional director and acquiring the ‘address’ is the first step in their growth plan, so they are very serious about investing here."

The Meinhardt arrival comes almost exactly a year after engineering consultancy WSP agreed to take 47K SF at the 200K SF Mailbox, Birmingham, as the city scooped an early HS2 dividend.

Regional Director Jason Fox is chair of the Birmingham branch of construction and property business club Interact, and has over three decades of experience in the built environment. 

Meinhardt took the strategic decision to locate its office in Birmingham because of the city’s bustling property sector, and has placed itself in the heart of the city in close proximity to major transport hubs.

The company is already working on the high-profile Timber Yard development in Birmingham’s Southside development district, where it is providing civil and structural design consultancy services on behalf of the Galliard Homes and Apsley House Capital partnership.