The £18m turnover geotechnical and engineering firm specialises in large-scale, specialist access projects and employs 250 staff.

About 70% of CAN’s business is geotechnical projects for slope and retaining wall stabilisation, and installing rock fall protection measures.

The remainder involve structural repairs, construction, inspection, testing and maintenance, often including bespoke access solutions.

Previous owners Neil Foster and Andy Wingfield, will both continue to lead the business as it joins the geosciences and engineering division of RSK.

CAN operates from three offices, Chesterfield, which oversees most of its operations, Northfleet and Portishead.

The take-over deal is latest in a string of acquisitions by Helsby-based RSK, which ranks as the fifth largest environmental consultancy in the UK, generating £175m revenue.

Since the 2017/18 financial year, RSK has brought 10 new businesses under its umbrella, including Acies, KMGP, Cole Jarman, CJ Associates, Ian Farmer Associates, Up and Under Group, RSKW, Central Alliance, Non Destructive Testing Services and Copeland Wedge Associates. 

Dr Alan Ryder, chief executive officer of RSK, said: “CAN’s client base of principal contractors, specifically rail sector contractors, will complement other specialisms within RSK.

“Operationally, CAN has a large fleet of plant and facilities for modification and repair.

“These capabilities will directly benefit our ground investigation businesses for modifying, servicing and repairing rigs, and NDT Services for its pile test rig fabrication and hydraulic engineering.”

Andy Wingfield, managing director of CAN, said: “In RSK, we believe we have found a like-minded group of people that share the values and ethos within the CAN family.

“CAN’s acquisition by RSK is a fantastic springboard for growth that brings together RSK’s strengths in the early investigation and design stages of projects with CAN’s track record in construction delivery across a wide range of sectors.”