Our Story
Phenna Group was created in 2019 when Paul Barry led a management buy-out of Hansen Aerospace and First Scottish Group, with support from members of the Hansen family.
Today, Phenna is a global provider of testing, inspection, certification and compliance (TICC) services, supporting clients across highly regulated sectors with mission-critical services and an unwavering commitment to quality, integrity and deliverability.
Our journey has been shaped by strong leadership, strategic acquisitions, international expansion and a shared ambition. To build a world-class group that delivers confidence, compliance and assurance to clients worldwide.
At a Glance - The Phenna Approach
What defines our growth:
- A people-first, one-team, founder-led culture
- Expansion through strategic acquisitions and partnerships
- Expertise across infrastructure, built environment, energy, food, life sciences, compliance and certification
- Rapid international growth across the UK, Ireland, Europe, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, North America and Latin America
- A strong focus on quality, accreditation and regulated environments
- Active focus on structured integration projects to strengthen collaboration and value creation across the group
- Ongoing investment in leadership, innovation, technology and digital infrastructure to support scale
The Phenna Journey
Where It Began (2019)
2019 marked the formation of Phenna Group following the management buy-out of Hansen Aerospace and First Scottish Group, led by Paul Barry.
Key milestones included:
- Formation of Phenna Group
- Acquisitions of Professional Soils Laboratory, Building Envelope Technologies (BET), GMES and ACS
- Significant investment into Hansen Aerospace facilities and capacity
This foundational year established the acquisition-led platform and long-term growth strategy.
Building Momentum (2020)
Phenna expanded internationally and strengthened its platform with:
- First Australian acquisition of Approval Specialists / Austest
- Multiple strategic acquisitions across the UK and Ireland, including Code A Weld, GSTL, Build Check, Elmhurst Energy, ASM Group and Corporate Access Legal Services
- Entry into energy, health & safety, geotechnical, legal and training services
- Partnership with Inflexion to support accelerated growth
Phenna celebrated its first anniversary and established itself as a serious emerging group in TICC services.
Accelerating International Growth (2021)
2021 marked a step-change in scale following significant investment and international expansion.
- £125m investment from Inflexion and Arcmont
- Entry into the Middle East with Thomas Bell Wright (Dubai)
- Acquisitions of Facit Testing, MatTest Southern, Ecology Solutions, Safety Services UK, IASME, ISI and James Fisher Testing
- Leadership team strengthened
- Surpassed 1,000 employees
Phenna evolved from an emerging group into a recognised TICC international platform.
Diversification and Global Scale (2022)
2022 saw both geographic reach and technical capability. Our acquisitions and milestones in 2022 included:
- Entry into Asia with the acquisition of A-Star Testing
- Entry into the Food & Life Sciences market with Complete Laboratory Solutions
- Entry into the Metals & Minerals sector with North Australian Laboratories, Aurum Laboratories and Jinning Pty
- Additional acquisitions, including Stroma, NAPIT, JHAI, Celtest, Maurice Johnson, Pavement Testing Services, XAIS Asset Management, XtraTec, Simtec, and Zeta Analytical
- Expansion across Australia, Singapore, LATAM and beyond
Secured strategic investment from Oakley Capital to support long-term growth - CTS joined Phenna Group through Oakley's investment
This year significantly broadened Phenna's sector coverage and international footprint.
Strengthening Platforms (2023)
2023 focused on deepening sector expertise, strengthening geographic coverage and continuing international expansion, while also investing in infrastructure and leadership. Key acquisitions and milestones during 2023 included:
- Entry into water compliance and treatment services with Sayvol, Evolution Water and Trident Water Services
- Expansion with the acquisition of RammSanderson, DM Safety & Health, Cansford Laboratories, Ginger Lehmann, South West Geotechnical, LabWest, ACI Reports, Eville & Jones and EMC Technologies
- Our first Infrastructure deal in Australia with ACST
- First LATAM acquisition of CEIMIC Life Sciences Testing Group
- Multiple leadership appointments to strengthen governance, operational delivery and group integration
This year further expanded Phenna's capability across water, infrastructure, food & life sciences, compliance and environmental services, while extending its international footprint into Latin America.
Leadership Evolution & Global Investment (2024)
2024 was a transformational year focused on leadership, infrastructure and long-term investment: Key highlights and acquisitions included:
- Phil Marshall appointed CEO; Paul Barry transitioned to Executive Chairman
- Significant investment in laboratories and facilities, including the CTS Chemistry and Microbiology Lab in Leicester and a state-of-the-art laboratory for TBW in Saudi Arabia's Al Sudair Industrial Area
- Expansion across Australia, Asia, LATAM and Middle East
- Entry into new disciplines, including the built environment sector in Australia with MBC Group, Certis, Resolve Group and Oracle Surveys
- Acquisitions of NLG Ecology, Cutech, Grupo FS and ECAS
- Further strengthened the leadership team and early 2024 began structured group-wide integration projects to support collaboration, scalability and value creation
- Signed the Armed Forces Covenant
This year strengthened Phenna's global operating platform while reinforcing leadership, infrastructure investment and the early delivery of structured integration projects across the group.
Expanding into New Markets (2025)
2025 reflected sustained momentum across new markets, services, and geographies, with Phenna Group also expanding into Mainland Europe. Our key acquisitions and developments from 2025 included:
- Significant expansion across the UK, Europe, Australia and North America
- Entry into mainland Europe with acquisitions in Italy of Sfera Srl, IPI Srl, AC&E and ITS Controlli and in Spain with 4Fores
- Growth in food, pharma, infrastructure, environmental and technical compliance services
- Additional acquisitions include the Statutory Inspection Division of Bureau Technical Services, STM Environmental, 3B Survey, Calibre Environmental, Ecology Division of Ground Control, GPTW, ATL, Statutory Inspections Limited, Civiltest, AME, Construction Testing Services, Briggs Engineering, ISGroup, Prensa Pty, Aquatech, MCG, BCA Concepts, Testall, VetSkill, SERPRAM and EFH
- Strengthened the leadership team, including the appointment of a new CIO to support group-wide technology, systems and integration
This year reflects Phenna's continued evolution into a highly diversified, truly global TICC group, with integration projects now embedded across the platform and increased collaboration and commercial synergies being realised between businesses.
Looking Ahead
Phenna Group's history is one of ambition, integrity and sustained growth. As we continue to scale internationally, our focus remains clear:
- Supporting clients in highly regulated environments
- Delivering trusted, accredited and high-quality services
- Investing in our people, leadership and culture
- Building strong platforms across sectors and geographies
- Maintaining entrepreneurial spirit within a global group
Our journey continues — and we remain committed to building a group that sets the standard for excellence in testing, inspection, certification and compliance.
