Buchanan will now join forces with the SKM business in the UK and overseas as 175 staff get new bosses.

In the European and Chinese markets, the merged organisation will be known as SKM Colin Buchanan.

Paul Dougas, SKM’s Chief Executive and Managing Director said: “Right now, our transport infrastructure clients are facing particular challenges and require trusted partners to bring deep insights and innovative solutions that meet their commercial needs across the entire life cycle of a project.”

Buchanan chairman Andreas Markides will take a key role in the new operation, joining the board of SKM Europe.

He said: “SKM and Colin Buchanan already have experience through collaboration on a number of opportunities and we now look forward to providing that stronger, joint capability to all our clients.”