Connell Wagner joins Aurecon

The New Zealand business of engineering consultancy Connell Wagner has formed a new alliance with two other businesses called Aurecon.

The firm, with 650 staff working in 12 New Zealand offices, has combined with two South African-headquartered consultancy businesses, Africon and Ninham Shand.

Africon is an engineering consultancy established in 1951 which works in Africa and the Middle East. Ninham Shand, established 76 years ago, is an engineering and environmental science business.

Paul Hardy, Connell Wagner's chief executive, has been appointed Aurecon's chief executive.

The new firm's headquarters are in Singapore and a spokesperson for the business said Aurecon would have 6700 people at 87 offices in 28 countries.

Aurecon wants to provide professional technical services on big infrastructure projects to clients in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific region.