Penningtons Manches Cooper advises SOCOTEC UK Limited on the acquisition of United Kingdom Testing & Certification Limited

Posted: 05/08/2025

The corporate team at Penningtons Manches Cooper has advised SOCOTEC UK, the UK’s leading provider, and a leading European player, in testing, inspection and certification services in the construction and environment sectors, on the acquisition of United Kingdom Testing & Certification Limited (UKTC). 

SOCOTEC UK is a leading provider of testing, inspection, and compliance services, supporting clients across the entire asset lifecycle. Since entering the UK market in 2017, SOCOTEC has rapidly expanded through a series of strategic acquisitions broadening its expertise across infrastructure, consultancy, and regulatory compliance. SOCOTEC UK now seeks to strengthen its offering with their recent acquisition of UKTC.

UKTC provides market leading solutions for end-to-end testing, inspection and full fire certification, helping its clients to demonstrate their commitment to safety and compliance with all appropriate standards and building codes. Through its industry leading UKAS accredited testing Laboratory No. 21542, which is equipped with the latest fire resistance testing equipment, it tests to a number of international standards, including British and European.

The acquisition further enhances SOCOTEC UK’s expertise in the vital area of fire safety and regulatory compliance. It also strengthens the company’s expanding footprint in Scotland, marking its second acquisition in the region following the purchase of Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys in November last year.

The Penningtons Manches Cooper team advising SOCOTEC UK was led by corporate partner Richard Wrigley, with support from associate Robert Hallmark. The wider team included support from commercial managing associate Edmund Forey, senior associate Nora Pook corporate tax partner Oliver Gutman, pensions senior associate Clare Coley, and banking and finance senior associate Andy Rushfirth, 

Jason Goodwin, chief financial officer of SOCOTEC UK, said: "The acquisition of UKTC is a key step in the company’s ongoing expansion efforts and its dedication to improving building safety across the UK. The team at Penningtons Manches Cooper have been a pleasure to work with on multiple deals over the last three years and have once again shown their expert approach to the legal aspects of the transaction. Their involvement has been crucial to the completion of this deal."

Richard Wrigley, corporate partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper, added: “We are delighted to have advised SOCOTEC UK on this strategic acquisition, which further enhances their specialist testing, inspection and certification services. This is the eighth acquisition we have supported SOCOTEC UK on since 2022 and we look forward to continuing to support them in the future.”

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