Manchester-headquartered construction, real estate and infrastructure consultancy Drees & Sommer UK has opened a new office in Bristol, the company announced on 21 August 2026.
New base at Runway East on Queen Square
The new South West base is located within Runway East on Queen Square and provides a permanent base for the firm's expanding Bristol team, the company said. The office is headed by Claire Robertson, a divisional director for the consultancy's industrial sector services.
Drees & Sommer UK said the move would "reinforce" its presence in the region and was in response to a growing investment and development pipeline.
South West described as a dynamic economic powerhouse
In a statement, Drees & Sommer UK said: "Bristol and the South West represent one of the UK's most dynamic and economically diverse regional powerhouses."
The company added: "The area combines deep heritage in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and defence with rapidly growing strengths in battery technology, life sciences, digital and clean technology sectors. Sustained inward investment and strong population growth are also driving a buoyant residential and mixed-use development market, all creating significant demand for the specialist consultancy services Drees & Sommer UK provides."
Global firm with UK sites across the country
Drees & Sommer UK is part of Drees & Sommer, a partner-managed, global consulting company with more than 6,500 staff across 80 offices worldwide. Its UK arm has a number of sites including in London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Belfast.
Mark Simpson, director and associate partner at Drees & Sommer, said: "Bristol and the wider South West continue to attract investment, talent and development activity across a range of sectors, making it a natural location for Drees & Sommer UK to establish a permanent base. This move strengthens our ability to support clients locally, deepen existing relationships and build new partnerships across the area."
Services and future hiring plans
The Bristol office will deliver consultancy services including project management, cost management, technical due diligence, health and safety, sustainability consulting, building surveying and digital or BIM advisory.
Claire Robertson, divisional director, added: "This move to Queen Square is much more than a change of address. It reflects our confidence in Bristol as a centre of innovation, engineering excellence and long-term growth. As investment across the South West continues to create opportunities across the industry, being close to our clients and partners has never been more important. We're excited to put down lasting roots in a location that matches our ambitions and those of our clients. We look forward to expanding our team with new hires in the near future too."
