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Atkins (company)
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Atkins was a British multinational construction, design, engineering and business services company. It was formerly listed on the London Stock exchange and had a London headquarters. In July 2017 the company was bought by SNC-Lavalin a £2.1 billion deal.[2][3] The new group was subsequently renamed AtkinsRéalis in 2023.

Key Information

The company was founded as W. S. Atkins & Partners by Sir William Atkins in 1938. It experienced rapid growth following the Second World War, performing specialist services in town planning, engineering sciences, architecture and project management. The firm was admitted to the London Stock Exchange in 1996, trading under the name WS Atkins plc for a time before rebranding as Atkins during 2002. While Atkins largely focused on the UK market during its formative years, it has grown into an international firm with a global presence, as well as expanded into a wide range of sectors, including aerospace and high speed railways.

By 2016, Atkins had become the UK's largest engineering consultancy, as well as the world's 11th largest global design firm.[4] It employed approximately 18,000 staff based in 300 offices across 29 countries and had undertaken projects in over 150 countries. The firm's motto was "Plan, Design, Enable".

History

[edit]

The original company, W. S. Atkins & Partners, was established by William Atkins in 1938.[5][6] The venture was not Atkin's only business endeavour, having acquired London Ferro-Concrete from his prior employers; he continued to actively manage both firms up until 1950.[7] In its formative years, the firm established its first offices in Westminster, London and specialised in civil and structural engineering design and consultancy work.[5][6] Throughout the Second World War, the company developed a reputation for competently performing complex engineering works assigned to it despite the unavoidable wartime pressures and limitations that were imposed. Amongst other works, Atkins developed a patented anti-aircraft turret during this period.[5]

In the aftermath of the conflict, the firm expanded rapidly to support the postwar reconstruction effort, supplying specialist services in town planning, engineering sciences, architecture and project management.[7][6] During 1945, Atkins was invited to consult on the planned expansion of the Port Talbot Steelworks and subsequently acted as the civil and structural design engineer for the project. In 1950, Atkins opted to discontinue contracting work to concentrate on design engineering and project management work.[5] During the 1950s, the firm became involved in the engineering of the Berkeley Nuclear Power Station, which became the first exclusively civilian nuclear power station in the UK upon its completion; the company continued to be active in the nuclear sector both domestically and abroad.[5] In the 1960s, Atkins provided tunneling designed for the fledgling Toronto subway network. During the 1970s, the company supported the construction of Drax Power Station, the largest power generation facility in the UK.[5]

Up until 1982, the year in which he retired, William Akins served as the company's chairman.[5][6] In 1996, W. S. Atkins was admitted to the London Stock Exchange and began trading as W. S. Atkins plc. That same year, it also acquired Faithful+Gould, a cost and project management consultancy firm.[8] Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Atkins played a key role in the engineering of the Channel Tunnel; completed in 1994, it possesses the longest underwater section of any tunnel in the world.[9][5] During the late 1990s, WS Atkins performed work on the Burj al Arab hotel, which was completed in 1999.[10]

In 2002, the company begun trading under the Atkins name. That same year, it also bought Hanscomb, construction consultants.[11] During the early 2000s, the company experienced a period of financial difficulties, resulting in the share price falling to 50p in 2002[12] and the company's Chief Executive, Robin Southwell, resigning along with Finance Director Ric Piper, who was also told his new job at Trinity Mirror was no longer open to him.[13] Keith Clarke replaced him, joining from Skanska.[14]

Atkins was one of the five shareholders in Metronet, the London Underground maintenance company that failed in 2007, after which Atkins was forced to write off its investment in the venture.[15] During 2009, Atkins was selected as the official engineering design services provider for the 2012 Summer Olympics; the company provided building services design, civil engineering and structural engineering, acoustics, fire protection engineering, and accessibility services.[16][17]

As a consequence of the general economic downturn experienced during the Great Recession, Atkins reduced its headcount as a cost-saving measure; approximately 3000 staff left the business between April 2009 and February 2011, although the overall headcount remained relatively stable following the acquisition of the American company PBS&J during August 2010.[18][19] The purchase of PBS&J, a Florida-based provider of engineering, planning, architecture, construction, environmental, and program management services, was viewed as a major buy into the North American market for Atkins.[20]

Although Atkins had not traditionally involved itself in the aerospace sector, the firm decided to build up its presence in the market, quickly forming links with British aero engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce Holdings and the multinational aerospace firm Airbus.[17][21] Its first major aerospace project was to perform a stress-check analysis of the wing proposed for the Airbus A380 airliner, later expanding to perform work on the wings of the Airbus A320 and Airbus A350 XWB airliners as well as the Airbus A400M Atlas military airlifter. Atkins was reportedly keen to expand within the North American region, particularly with Boeing and its supply chain.[17] By 2011, roughly 500 staff around the globe were working in the aerospace sector; Atkins divisional managing director Neil Kirk noted the firm's plans to expand and double turnover from this sector over the following three to four years.[17]

Atkins has also been highly active in the engineering of high speed railways.[22] The company's own analysis noted that Europe's high speed rail network was expected to expand three-fold between 2008 and 2020, while passenger rail travel in the UK was growing far faster than official forecasts had predicted.[23] In 2001, the UK's Strategic Rail Authority commissioned Atkins to produce a feasibility study into the business case for, and the transportation impact of, high-speed railways.[24] During January 2011, an Atkins-led consortium was selected to engineer a 180 km high speed line between the Danish capital of Copenhagen and the German border.[25] In April 2019, the company was appointed to plan Sweden's first high speed main line.[26]

In June 2011, Atkins announced it was buying the oil and gas business of Finnish global consulting firm Pöyry for €17.25 million; as a result of this acquisition, around 130 staff from Pöyry's Perth, Stavanger and Aberdeen offices integrated into Atkins' Energy business unit.[27] During October 2014, Houston-based oil and gas offshore engineering business Houston Offshore Engineering was acquired for £45 million, added another 150 people to the business and increased the headcount of oil and gas specialists to over 1,000 within its operations worldwide.[28] That same year, Atkins had made a bid to purchase Parsons Brinckerhoff from Balfour Beatty, but were outbid by WSP Global.[29] In April 2016, the company announced the acquisition of the Projects, Products and Technology (PP&T) segment of EnergySolutions for £206 million, strengthening Atkins' nuclear multidisciplinary capability to a 2,000-strong global team.[30]

During April 2017, Atkins received a £2.1bn bid from Canadian company SNC-Lavalin. On 21 April, it was announced that the takeover deal had been agreed;[31] the move was approved by shareholders in June 2017. This step coincided with news of 92 redundancies in the company's infrastructure division.[32] The deal was completed on 3 July 2017, with Atkins becoming SNC-Lavalin's fifth business sector.[33] Atkins was delisted from the London Stock Exchange with effect from 4 July 2017.[34]

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, Atkins announced it was cutting around 280 jobs from its UK infrastructure division, blaming "unprecedented uncertainty" in the sector from which it did not expect to see a bounce back "in the short to medium term."[35]

Operations

[edit]
An Atkins' construction site house at a building site in Hong Kong.

Atkins provides engineering, design, business and digital consultancy services in various regions:[36]

  • United Kingdom: water, environment, education, aerospace, security, defence, communications, infrastructure design, urban planning and transportation planning
  • North America: infrastructure planning, engineering, construction management, environmental consulting, urban planning, architecture and program management services
  • Middle East: design, engineering and project management services for buildings, transportation and other infrastructure programs
  • Asia Pacific: engineering, planning, urban design, architectural and rail design services
  • Hong Kong: urban rail development

Atkins also has an Energy business providing engineering and project management services.[36]

Notable projects

[edit]
The MS Oasis of the Seas at anchor in Nassau, Bahamas.

Atkins' notable past and current projects include:

Asia Pacific

Europe (ex. United Kingdom)

  • Architecture and design services for the Capital Fort mixed use development, Sofia, Bulgaria [42]
  • Baku White City, Azerbaijan
  • Signaling and telecommunications work for the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), Denmark
  • Rail network planning and design for the Mälaren Line project, Sweden
  • Partnering with Assystem to develop offshore wind, wave, and tidal energy production, France
  • M50 Motorway upgrade, Ireland

Middle East

North America

  • Engineering, design, ITS, planning, and program management services for Florida's Turnpike Enterprise toll and asset management systems, Florida
  • Runway design and planning services for the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Construction and program management services for the Hoover Dam Bypass bridge project, Boulder City, Nevada
  • Masterplanning, urban design, and sustainability services for the Hunters Point Shipyard/Candlestick Point Urban Plan, San Francisco, California [49]
  • Program management and construction services for the Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant, Howard County, Maryland [50]
  • Construction, design, and program management services for the MARTA bus and rail transit system, Georgia
  • Architecture, A/E, and construction services for the Miami Dade College Culinary Institute, Miami, Florida
  • Oasis of the Seas Cruise Liner, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Ecological, environmental, and program management services for the Post-Hurricane Katrina Storm Damage Risk Reduction Program, Louisiana [51]
  • Construction management services for the upgrading of the Statue of Liberty, New York, New York
  • Architecture, A/E, and construction services for the Texas A&M International University Student Success Center, Laredo, Texas
  • Architecture, A/E, and geomatic services for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Orlando, Florida
  • Project management and cost estimating for the construction of the World Trade Center Memorial and Visitors Center, New York, New York

United Kingdom

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Atkins (company)

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from Grokipedia
AtkinsRéalis Group Inc., formerly known as Atkins and SNC-Lavalin, is a Canadian multinational engineering, design, and project management firm headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. It specializes in connecting people, data, and technology to deliver infrastructure and energy solutions worldwide, with a workforce of over 38,000 employees across more than 50 countries and representing 130 nationalities (as of 2024). The company offers a broad range of services, including capital investment and management, consulting and advisory, engineering and design, operations and maintenance, project delivery, and decommissioning, particularly in sectors such as transportation, nuclear energy, water, and urban development. The origins of Atkins trace back to 1938, when Sir William Atkins founded W. S. Atkins & Partners in , , initially focusing on civil and in the post-World II era. Over the decades, the firm expanded globally, rebranding to Atkins in 2002 and acquiring entities like PBS&J in 2010 to bolster its capabilities in environmental and infrastructure consulting. In 2017, Atkins was acquired by the Canadian engineering giant SNC-Lavalin, which itself was established in 1911 and had grown through mergers, including with Lavalin in 1991, to become a leader in nuclear and resource projects. This integration culminated in the 2023 rebranding to , partly to move past previous controversies associated with SNC-Lavalin, and emphasizing a unified focus on and net-zero initiatives. AtkinsRéalis has been involved in high-profile projects that redefine global infrastructure, such as the A14 highway upgrade in the UK and the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station. The firm prioritizes innovation in areas like digital transformation, antimicrobial resistance mitigation, and coordinated design for complex builds, positioning itself as a key player in addressing contemporary challenges in energy transition and urban resilience.

History

Founding and early years

Atkins was founded in 1938 by Sir William Sydney Albert Atkins, a prominent , as W. S. Atkins & Partners in . Born in 1902 in , Atkins received his education at Cooper's Company School from 1913 to 1918 and earned a degree from in 1923, supplemented by evening classes at Manchester College of Technology. His early career included an apprenticeship from 1918 to 1923 with Edward Wood and Co., followed by roles as an assistant engineer under Dr. Oscar Faber in 1925–1926, where he focused on steelwork and concrete design, and subsequent positions with firms like and Co. and the Foundation Co. Ltd. on projects such as the Deptford West in 1927–1928. By 1929, Atkins had become chief engineer at E. W. Cook, contributing to the reconstruction of and cinema designs, before acquiring a to form The London Ferro-Concrete Co. Ltd., of which he became managing director in 1935. The firm established its initial office in Westminster, London, and quickly concentrated on civil and structural engineering services for industrial and commercial buildings during the interwar period. Early activities emphasized technical consulting and design work, including engineering for factories and warehouses in the UK, reflecting the era's industrial expansion needs. Atkins' prior experience in ferro-concrete and structural projects informed this focus, positioning the firm as a specialist in robust engineering solutions for urban and industrial development. By 1939, the company had grown to a small team of engineers, prioritizing precision in consulting amid the economic and preparatory shifts leading into , which soon disrupted operations. This foundational phase laid the groundwork for Atkins' reputation in engineering excellence, though wartime demands shifted priorities toward reconstruction efforts in the post-war years.

Post-war growth and diversification

Following the end of in 1945, WS Atkins and Partners experienced rapid growth as the embarked on extensive reconstruction efforts to repair war-damaged infrastructure and support economic recovery. The firm, which had been small during its founding in and the war years, leveraged its expertise in civil and to contribute to key projects in housing, roads, and utilities, including the civil and structural design for the expansion of the . This period marked a surge in demand for engineering services. During the 1950s economic boom, Atkins diversified beyond its core civil engineering focus into transportation and water management sectors, incorporating early highway designs and utilities infrastructure to meet the needs of modernizing Britain's transport networks and resource systems. The company also broadened its offerings to include specialist services in town planning, engineering sciences, architecture, and project management, adapting to the multifaceted demands of post-war development. Internally, this diversification involved adopting innovative materials, such as reinforced concrete advancements, and new design methodologies to enhance efficiency in infrastructure projects. Key milestones in the included the establishment of regional offices across the to better serve local reconstruction initiatives and facilitate closer collaboration with government and clients. These expansions strengthened Atkins' domestic presence and laid the groundwork for initial international forays in , where the firm undertook early advisory and design roles in similar post-war recovery projects. By the close of the , these developments had positioned Atkins as a leading player in Britain's landscape.

Public listing and international expansion

In the mid-1990s, WS Atkins transitioned to status through its listing on in as WS Atkins plc, which enabled the firm to raise capital for strategic acquisitions and further growth. This flotation marked a pivotal shift, allowing the company to fund expansions beyond its traditional base and accelerate its diversification into new markets. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Atkins pursued key acquisitions to bolster its capabilities, particularly in the and , contributing to a workforce expansion to over 12,000 employees by 2000. Notable deals included the 1996 acquisition of , a UK-based quantity surveying and firm, and the 1999 purchase of The Benham Companies for £32 million, which strengthened Atkins' multidisciplinary presence in the with nearly 20 offices there and extended reach into Asian markets through Benham's existing operations. These moves, supported by post-listing capital, integrated specialized expertise and scaled operations amid growing global demand for services. Atkins' international expansion gained momentum in the late , with the firm establishing operations in over 50 countries and maintaining approximately 100 offices worldwide by 2000, emphasizing regions like the and . Milestones included major project involvements, such as the Kowloon-Canton railway in in 1998, which underscored Atkins' growing footprint in infrastructure, while Middle Eastern ventures focused on high-profile developments in urban planning and energy sectors. During this period, Atkins shifted toward offering multidisciplinary services, incorporating project management through acquisitions like and railroad consulting via the establishment of Atmos Ltd. in 1996, which addressed rising demands for solutions. This evolution positioned the firm as a comprehensive consultancy, blending traditional with integrated advisory roles across diverse sectors.

Acquisition and integration into AtkinsRéalis

In July 2017, Canadian engineering and construction firm SNC-Lavalin completed its acquisition of WS Atkins plc for approximately £2.1 billion (C$3.6 billion), marking one of the largest deals in the global engineering sector at the time. This transaction integrated Atkins' approximately 18,000 employees and its expertise in design, engineering, and services into SNC-Lavalin's operations, creating a combined entity with over 50,000 staff and enhanced capabilities across diverse sectors. The move built on Atkins' established global presence in over 50 countries, positioning the enlarged company as a leader in and project delivery. However, the acquisition occurred amid ongoing controversies at SNC-Lavalin, including a major involving allegations in dating back to 2001–2011, which led to criminal charges against the company in 2015 and a agreement in 2019 to avoid a criminal conviction. These legal issues, along with political interference allegations in , strained operations and contributed to financial challenges during integration. Post-acquisition, SNC-Lavalin realized significant synergies by merging Atkins' strengths in with its own nuclear expertise, leading to streamlined divisions focused on end-to-end solutions for complex projects. These integrations contributed to growth, with the company's total revenues reaching C$10.1 billion in 2018, driven by expanded , , , and (EDPM) activities that benefited from and operational efficiencies. By 2020, despite challenges from market conditions and divestitures, the combined nuclear and segments continued to underpin stable performance, with nuclear revenues at C$928.6 million and services at C$1,325.3 million. In September 2023, SNC-Lavalin announced its to , adopting the new name to unify its global brands and emphasize a forward-looking identity centered on and sustainable project delivery, while honoring Atkins' heritage as a cornerstone of the organization. The reflected the company's evolution into a fully integrated firm, with Atkins no longer operating as an independent entity but fully embedded within ' structure. As of 2025, demonstrates robust financial health, reporting a 15.3% increase in services to $2.6 billion in the second quarter, fueled by strong in nuclear energy and sustainable infrastructure initiatives. The company maintains a record backlog exceeding $20 billion, underscoring its strategic focus on high-impact sectors like and projects, with no separate Atkins operations remaining.

Operations

Core services and sectors

AtkinsRéalis provides multidisciplinary engineering, , and consulting services, encompassing civil, structural, and disciplines to address complex challenges. Core offerings include across the full asset lifecycle—from feasibility studies and to detailed , support, and whole-life maintenance—as well as technical consulting for compliance, , and optimization. These services emphasize innovative, sustainable solutions that integrate human-centric with advanced technologies to deliver efficient, resilient outcomes. The company operates across key sectors, starting with transportation, where it delivers end-to-end and for rail systems (including track engineering, traction power, and systems integration), highways (roadways, bridges, and intelligent transport systems), ( facilities and airside ), and ports (maritime structures and terminals). In the energy sector, services cover , delivery, and operations for baseload generation, alongside renewables such as offshore and onshore , solar, ( safety and pumped storage), and alternative energies like and carbon capture, with additional expertise in power grids, transmission, and distribution. and environment services focus on treatment plants for and management, defenses through integrated catchment and strategies, and environmental restoration including rehabilitation, enhancement, and pollution control. For buildings, the firm offers multidisciplinary for commercial structures (offices, retail, hotels) and healthcare facilities (hospitals), prioritizing energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems, cost-effective , and community-integrated developments. Specialized services include digital engineering through (BIM) for data-driven, collaborative design and simulation, as well as sustainability assessments that incorporate low-carbon strategies, , and environmental impact evaluations to align projects with net-zero goals. These capabilities support integrated (EPC) solutions, enabling seamless delivery from concept to operation.

Global organization and workforce

Prior to its 2017 acquisition, Atkins operated under a divisional model centered on key sectors such as , nuclear, and consulting services, with its in . Following the acquisition by SNC-Lavalin—rebranded as in 2023—the organization aligned with ' integrated structure, led from its , to leverage combined engineering, , and capabilities across global markets. Atkins' workforce reached a peak of approximately 18,000 employees before the acquisition, delivering specialized expertise on projects spanning over 150 countries. As part of in 2025, the total employee base stands at approximately 40,000, comprising a diverse array of professionals from 130 nationalities who speak more than 70 languages, fostering innovation through multicultural collaboration. This talent pool supports ' emphasis on inclusive practices, including employee resource groups and gender equality initiatives aimed at balanced representation by 2025. AtkinsRéalis maintains a global presence through more than 239 offices across over 50 countries, with major operational hubs in the , , , the , and . The structure prioritizes local partnerships and region-specific teams to ensure culturally attuned project execution, enabling seamless delivery of and energy solutions in diverse environments. In terms of , Atkins was listed on the London Stock Exchange as a FTSE 250 constituent until its delisting in 2017 following the acquisition. It subsequently integrated into AtkinsRéalis' governance framework, with the parent company publicly traded on the under the ticker ATRL, overseen by a board committed to ethical standards, , and .

Notable projects

Transportation infrastructure

Atkins has played a significant role in advancing transportation infrastructure through innovative solutions for rail, , and developments worldwide, focusing on enhancing mobility, , and efficiency. The company's expertise encompasses the full lifecycle of projects, from and tunneling to station integration and , often in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. These efforts have contributed to transformative mobility networks that support millions of passengers and freight movements annually. One of Atkins' landmark contributions is to the project, now known as the in . Atkins was involved for nearly 25 years, from the project's inception through to its opening in 2022, serving as the programme lead for the line-wide design team in partnership with Grimshaw, Maynard, and . The company provided detailed architectural and structural for central section stations, including , , , Farringdon, and , employing a "design once, build many" approach to standardize components across the network. Additionally, in with Arup, Atkins handled the detailed of 42 km of twin-bore running tunnels beneath , standardizing geometries to facilitate rapid construction over three years. This engineering innovation supports the line's capacity to serve over 200 million passengers annually, increasing central London's rail capacity by 10% and enabling 1.5 million people to commute within 45 minutes. Atkins also contributed to the development of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5, which opened in 2008 as a major hub for international travel. The company was commissioned by BAA in 1988 to support the initial planning and permission stages for the terminal, providing engineering consultancy that helped shape its early design framework. While primary structural and architectural design was led by partners like Pascall+Watson and , Atkins' involvement extended to advisory roles in infrastructure integration. The terminal, spanning 353,000 square meters, incorporates advanced systems for passenger flow and baggage handling, capable of processing up to 30 million passengers per year with automated processes that minimize delays and enhance . This project exemplified Atkins' focus on resilient airport engineering, influencing subsequent expansions at Heathrow where the company has led and low-carbon initiatives since 2010. In the , Atkins contributed to the A14 to improvement scheme, a £1.5 billion upgrade completed in 2020. As part of a , the company provided and services for the 21-mile dueling of the , including viaducts, interchanges, and environmental mitigations to reduce congestion and improve connectivity between and . The project enhanced safety and capacity, incorporating technology and sustainable drainage systems to support over 80,000 vehicles daily. In , Atkins delivered comprehensive engineering for the system, with initial operations commencing in June 2010 ahead of the and full network operations from April 2012, continuing to serve commuters today as part of the Bombela Concession consortium. The firm handled three major design packages, including 15 km of new tunnels under central , three underground stations (such as the re-engineered Station with dual caverns for optimized ), and a tunnel portal at Marlboro. Using advanced analysis techniques, Atkins ensured the 80 km network with 10 stations integrated (up to 160 km/h) to alleviate congestion in the Johannesburg-Pretoria corridor, connecting key economic hubs and OR Tambo International Airport while supporting the . The project emphasized sustainable urban mobility, reducing travel times by up to 50% for commuters and fostering regional connectivity. Atkins further supported the redevelopment of , a 90,000-seat venue opened in 2007, through high-level oversight in its planning phases. The company's then-chairman, Michael Jeffries, was appointed to lead Wembley National Stadium Ltd in 2002, providing strategic direction to navigate challenges and ensure delivery of the iconic 133-meter arch structure designed by Populous and engineered by . This lattice steel arch, spanning 315 meters, not only defines the stadium's aesthetic but also supports the and enhances event-day crowd management for transportation links, integrating with London's broader mobility network. The project highlighted Atkins' capacity to influence large-scale venue infrastructure tied to urban transport demands.

Buildings and urban developments

Atkins has played a significant role in designing and iconic buildings and urban developments that prioritize , innovative , and community integration. The company's projects often blend advanced structural solutions with environmental considerations, such as energy-efficient facades and resilient public spaces, to support long-term urban livability. A prime example is Landmark 81 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where Atkins served as the design architect for formerly Southeast Asia's tallest building at 461 meters, completed in 2018. The 81-floor mixed-use tower includes 491 residential apartments across levels 6 to 45, a luxury hotel in the upper section, a three-level retail podium with basement, and public observation decks on levels 79 to 81, creating a vertical community within the Vinhomes Central Park development. Atkins' design features modular cladding systems on the podium—incorporating brushed stainless steel, textured metal panels, and laser-cut elements—for enhanced aesthetics and performance, alongside fire safety measures exceeding NFPA 5000 standards, including specialized fire-escape lifts to ensure occupant safety in a high-rise context. In the realm of urban masterplanning, Atkins developed the winning scheme for Songjiang New City in , , during the early 2000s, encompassing a 60-square-kilometer area to transform a suburban district into a sustainable urban hub. The masterplan emphasized mixed for residential, commercial, and green spaces, pedestrian-accessible neighborhoods, integrated bridges, and enhanced public realms to foster connectivity and environmental harmony, drawing on principles of and low-carbon development to accommodate rapid . More recently, Atkins led the design for the extension and modernization of Central Railway Station in , with final designs unveiled in as part of the broader Railway City regeneration initiative. The project preserves the historic 1899 station—one of 's oldest stone buildings—while adding modern facilities like an eight-platform hub, a expansive Boma-style roof inspired by traditional African enclosures, open plazas with greenery, cafes, shops, flexible seating, and adjacent sports fields to serve up to 30,000 passengers per hour. Sustainability is embedded through climate-resilient features, such as shaded open structures to combat urban heat and flood-resistant public realms, promoting accessibility and community vitality. Atkins has also been appointed as a delivery partner for THE LINE, an ambitious linear city project within in , announced in 2023. Originally envisioned as a 170 km-long, 200 m-wide, 500 m-tall structure to house 9 million people powered by , Atkins provides consultancy services for planning, design, and management. However, as of November 2025, the project has faced significant scaling back due to financial and logistical challenges, with construction limited to foundational work and the full scope under review.

Energy and environmental projects

Atkins has played a significant role in advancing the UK's nuclear energy sector through its engineering and safety expertise. Since the 2010s, the company has provided comprehensive support for the C station in , including assistance in securing the UK's first nuclear site license in over 20 years and ongoing design for structures such as cast-in-place concrete components for the two European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) units. Additionally, Atkins has been tasked with independent verification of the reactor protection system's software to ensure safety monitoring for the reactors, which are projected to generate for six million homes and come online in June 2027 for the first unit, despite ongoing construction delays. This involvement underscores Atkins' contributions to modernizing the UK's energy mix amid efforts to reduce carbon emissions. In , Atkins has contributed to major initiatives, notably through its with Arup on the project in . Appointed in 2016 as a for and services, particularly for the western section, Atkins helped develop the 25-kilometer "super sewer" infrastructure to intercept and treat combined overflows during storms. The project, completed in 2025, is expected to reduce sewage spills into the River Thames by approximately 95% in a typical year when fully operational alongside network upgrades, enhancing river health and supporting urban sustainability for the next 120 years. Atkins has also applied its regulatory and environmental assessment skills to flood defense initiatives, focusing on coastal protections in the 2010s. For instance, the firm designed flood defense walls and reinforcements for the Teignmouth Tidal Defence Scheme in , approved in 2011, which raised protection levels using existing structures to mitigate tidal flooding risks. Similarly, Atkins conducted the 2010 Lincolnshire Coastal Study, providing detailed risk assessments and strategy recommendations that integrated environmental impact evaluations to guide long-term and flood management along the east coast. These projects highlight Atkins' emphasis on resilient infrastructure that balances technical engineering with ecological considerations in response to climate-driven threats.

References

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  11. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/snc-lavalin-completes-transformative-acquisition-of-ws-atkins-300483521.html
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  13. https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/snc-lavalin
  14. https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/s/TSX_SNC_2018.pdf
  15. https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/s/TSX_SNC_2020.pdf
  16. https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/investors/financial-information/quarterly-reports/2025/q2
  17. https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/markets-and-services/services/engineering-and-design
  18. https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/markets-and-services/markets/transportation
  19. https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/markets-and-services/markets/power-and-renewables
  20. https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/markets-and-services/markets/nuclear
  21. https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/markets-and-services/markets/water
  22. https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/markets-and-services/markets/buildings-and-places
  23. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/snc-lavalin-acquisition-1.4078908
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  26. https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/contact
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  28. https://www.investing.com/equities/snc-lavalin-group-inc
  29. https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/projects/crossrail
  30. https://www.arup.com/en-us/projects/crossrail-elizabeth-line-tunnelling-design/
  31. https://www.icevirtuallibrary.com/doi/10.1680/cien.2007.161.5.4
  32. https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/projects/heathrow
  33. https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/projects/a14-upgrade
  34. https://www.emirates247.com/eb247/companies-markets/construction/atkins-completes-sa-rail-project-in-time-for-fifa-cup-2010-06-08-1.252759
  35. https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/tunnelling-project-profile-the-gautrain-rapid-rail-link-29-04-2010/
  36. https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/gautrain/
  37. https://managingppp.gihub.org/case-studies/gautrain-rapid-rail-link/
  38. https://www.newcivilengineer.com/archive/atkins-boss-to-run-wembley-stadium-project-18-04-2002/
  39. https://www.atkinsrealis.com/~/media/Files/A/atkinsrealis/download-centre/en/case-study/landmark-case-study.pdf
  40. https://www.archdaily.com/771262/atkins-begins-work-on-vietnams-tallest-building
  41. https://journals.openedition.org/chinaperspectives/7216
  42. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Master-plan-of-Songjiang-City-Atkins-UK-winning-scheme-2001-The-winning-scheme-was_fig2_248956192
  43. https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/projects/nairobi-central-station
  44. https://www.archdaily.com/986550/atkins-unveils-design-for-the-new-nairobi-central-station-in-kenya
  45. https://www.atkinsrealis.com/en/projects/the-line-at-neom
  46. https://ig.ft.com/saudi-neom-line
  47. https://careers.atkinsrealis.com/projects/2019-7/hinkley-point-c
  48. https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/atkins-wins-hinkley-point-c-safety-contract-27-04-2020/
  49. https://www.trimble.com/blog/construction/en-US/article/delivering-error-free-cast-in-place-concrete-structures-at-hinkley-point-c
  50. https://www.neimagazine.com/news/atkins-to-verify-the-safety-of-reactor-protection-software-at-hinkley-point-c-7897014/
  51. https://www.edfenergy.com/media-centre/news-releases/hinkley-point-c-announces-launch-technical-support-alliance
  52. https://www.consultancy.uk/news/3184/arup-atkins-jv-wins-thames-tideway-tunnel-contract
  53. https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/atkins-and-arup-win-super-sewer-roles-08-01-2016/
  54. https://www.tideway.london/news/press-releases/2025/february/london-s-super-sewer-now-fully-connected-promising-a-greener-healthier-river-thames/
  55. https://www.thameswater.co.uk/about-us/projects/thames-tideway-tunnel
  56. https://careers.atkinsrealis.com/blogs/2019-4/my-role-on-thames-tideway-tunnel-91361614101
  57. https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/WS-ATKINS-PLC-4001662/news/Atkins-WS-plc-Atkins-design-for-Teignmouth-tidal-defence-scheme-approved-14-October-2011-13841471/
  58. https://structurae.net/en/literature/journal-article/communication-and-adaptation-coastal-flood-risk-in-lincolnshire/references
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