Heery International, Balfour Beatty’s US professional and technical services arm, has acquired Douglas E Barnhart Inc (Barnhart), the largest programme management, construction management and building-company in San Diego and amongst the largest in California.

It is also the sixth largest education sector builder in the US.

Balfour Beatty chief executive Ian Tyler said:
"Heery International is already a national leader in the US public education sector.

California is one of the US's fastest growing markets offering substantial opportunity in education and other construction management markets.

The addition of Barnhart substantially enhances the Group's presence in education and in California, where we are already a major player in civil engineering and construction project management".

The executive management team, including the president, the director of operations and the director of business development, have all agreed to continue in their current roles.