The original company is established in 1969 as a building services consultancy with offices in Surrey, UK.
During the ’70s and ‘80s the company becomes an important actor in the industry.
In 1987 the company is floated at the London Stock Exchange and adopts the name WSP.
In the first half of the ‘90s WSP grows through UK-based acquisitions to add structural and civil engineering capability to the skills portfolio.
1995 sees the group expanding abroad – WSP Asia is formed – and the launch of the environmental business with WSP Environmental.
In the second half of the ‘90s the company expands further with more acquisitions in UK and South Africa. By the end of the decade the group is one of the most important UK consultancies with 2000 staff.
2000 is a pivotal year for WSP with the acquisition of high-rise specialists Cantor Seinuk and Flack + Kurtz in the US and further expansion in Asia.
In 2001 WSP Group becomes one of the largest consultants in Europe with the acquisition of J&W in Sweden and LT Consultants OY and EMP Projects OY in Finland.
By 2003 WSP has a global presence across four continents, is in the top twenty consultancy worldwide (ranked sixth in Europe) and is one of the world’s leading engineers of high-rise buildings.
In 2005 WSP presents the 5-year strategy plan focused on organic and acquisitive growth and reinforces its presence in Middle East with the acquisition of PHB Group.
2006 sees the acquisition in the US of Environmental Strategies and the opening of 6 offices in Australia which further expands the environmental business worldwide.
In 2007 an important series of acquisitions in Australia, Germany, US and Middle East opens up new markets and reinforces WSP’s profile as a global consultant.
At the beginning of 2008 WSP Group is a global company with 9500 staff and a wide range of services covering the property, transport and infrastructure and environment and energy businesses.