Liverpool-headquartered civil and structural engineering and building surveying consultancy Sutcliffe, with 70 staff, has entered a new partnership with Venn, marking the next stage in the company’s 40+ year development and providing long-term investment to support its continued growth across the UK.
Founded in Liverpool in 1985, Sutcliffe designs around 5,000 homes each year and works extensively across housing, healthcare, education and commercial development. The business operates from Liverpool, Manchester, North Wales, London and the Midlands.
The investment will see Sutcliffe become a cornerstone of an organisation with ambitious plans to build a national group of high-quality multi-disciplinary consultancies serving the built environment.
Sutcliffe will continue to be led by CEO Sean Keyes and its existing management team, with the company retaining the culture, client relationships and commitment to developing people that have underpinned its growth over the past four decades.
Sean Keyes, CEO of Sutcliffe, said:
“The demand on our industry isn’t going away. The country needs more homes, better schools and hospitals, and the engineers, surveyors, planners and skilled trades needed to deliver them.
“Sutcliffe has always been a Liverpool business at heart, but the work our clients need from us continues to grow. This partnership gives us the long-term backing to build on what we have achieved over the last 40 years.
“The things that matter most won’t change. We are the same firm, with the same people and the same values. We want to get the work done properly, train the next generation and continue contributing to the communities in which we work.”
“The company has plans to continue its strong organic growth steadily increasing turnover to over £10m over the next 3 years.”
Venn was founded by Johannes Huttunen, who has more than 20 years’ experience investing in and developing UK businesses.
Venn’s strategy is to bring together high-quality consultants in the built environment, providing investment and support to help them grow and collaborate while retaining the technical expertise, management and local relationships that made them successful.
Johannes Huttunen, Founder and CEO of Venn, said:
“Sutcliffe is exactly the kind of business Venn was created to back. It has four decades of profitable trading, loyal clients across housing, healthcare and education, and a genuine commitment to training and developing its own people.
“Engineering services for the built environment are being reshaped by the need for new homes, tighter regulation and the drive for greater energy efficiency. The businesses best placed to respond are those combining deep technical expertise with strong client and local relationships.
“Sutcliffe has both, and we couldn’t be more excited about partnering with Sean and the team to build on those foundations in the North West and across the UK.”
Sutcliffe was advised on the transaction by DSG Accountants and law firm Napthens.
Kieran Donovan, Partner at Napthens, said:
“Our relationship with Sutcliffe, Sean Keyes and the shareholders goes back to the early 2010s, and during that time we have been fortunate to support them through some pivotal stages in the growth and development of the business.
“We are delighted to have been entrusted with advising them on this important transaction. With Sean and his management team continuing to lead the business, alongside significant investment, Sutcliffe is entering an exciting new phase of growth.”
The deal follows a landmark period for Sutcliffe. The company celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025 and pledged to train a further 40 engineers and surveyors over the following decade through apprenticeship and graduate routes, working with organisations including The City of Liverpool College and Liverpool John Moores University.
Sutcliffe has also raised more than £320,000 for NHS charity partners through its annual charitable activities. Next year’s Charity Spring Ball is planned to be the biggest yet.
For more information visit sutcliffe.co.uk or follow Sutcliffe on LinkedIn and Facebook.
