UK
Ireland
Scotland
London
Construction News
02/12/2015
Sweett Group Admits To Bribery Offences On Middle East Contracts
Sweett Group has admitted to bribery offences concerning development contracts in the Middle East.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is currently investigating two 'suspicious' contracts due to allegations made in a Wall Street Journal newspaper report.
The quantity surveying consultant stated it expects to receive a fine, but will still be able to continue public sector contracts in the UK/EU.
The consultant also announced it is to close its Middle East business after it completed the sale of its far East and Indian operations.
Sweett's remaining operations are to be restructured into five business units covering: London; England and Wales; Scotland and Ireland; Mainland Europe; North America.
In a statement, the company said: "The SFO investigation with respect to Sweett Group into the allegations made in the Wall Street Journal in June 2013 is at an end. During the process of our own investigations two related contracts within the Middle East were identified as suspicious and were duly reported to the SFO.
"This has led to an admission by Sweett Group of an offence under Section 7(1) of the UK Bribery Act 2010 (failing to prevent an associated person bribing another to obtain or retain business for the company).
"Subsequent prosecution is expected, with the likely outcome of a fine, the quantum of which cannot be ascertained at the present time."
CEO of the Group, Douglas McCormick, said: "Today's announcement brings closure on the Middle East legacy issues a step closer, allowing the Group to progress unencumbered in the future.
"This is an important next step in the strategic turnaround of the business."
In addition, the company has reshuffled its corporate team to lead the newly formed businesses:
• Alan Manuel, currently deputy Managing Director of Europe, has been appointed as Regional Managing Director, London.
• Ken Wood, currently Managing Director of Middle East and India, has been appointed as Regional Managing Director, England and Wales.
• Willie Allan, currently Senior Director, Scotland, has been appointed as Regional Managing Director, Scotland and Ireland.
• Paul Jamieson, currently Managing Director of Spain, has been appointed as Regional Managing Director, Europe.
(LM/CD)
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is currently investigating two 'suspicious' contracts due to allegations made in a Wall Street Journal newspaper report.
The quantity surveying consultant stated it expects to receive a fine, but will still be able to continue public sector contracts in the UK/EU.
The consultant also announced it is to close its Middle East business after it completed the sale of its far East and Indian operations.
Sweett's remaining operations are to be restructured into five business units covering: London; England and Wales; Scotland and Ireland; Mainland Europe; North America.
In a statement, the company said: "The SFO investigation with respect to Sweett Group into the allegations made in the Wall Street Journal in June 2013 is at an end. During the process of our own investigations two related contracts within the Middle East were identified as suspicious and were duly reported to the SFO.
-- Advertisement --
"This has led to an admission by Sweett Group of an offence under Section 7(1) of the UK Bribery Act 2010 (failing to prevent an associated person bribing another to obtain or retain business for the company).
"Subsequent prosecution is expected, with the likely outcome of a fine, the quantum of which cannot be ascertained at the present time."
CEO of the Group, Douglas McCormick, said: "Today's announcement brings closure on the Middle East legacy issues a step closer, allowing the Group to progress unencumbered in the future.
"This is an important next step in the strategic turnaround of the business."
In addition, the company has reshuffled its corporate team to lead the newly formed businesses:
• Alan Manuel, currently deputy Managing Director of Europe, has been appointed as Regional Managing Director, London.
• Ken Wood, currently Managing Director of Middle East and India, has been appointed as Regional Managing Director, England and Wales.
• Willie Allan, currently Senior Director, Scotland, has been appointed as Regional Managing Director, Scotland and Ireland.
• Paul Jamieson, currently Managing Director of Spain, has been appointed as Regional Managing Director, Europe.
(LM/CD)
Latest Construction News
05/02/2025
Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) and ECF, a joint venture between Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse, have selected Vinci as the preferred contractor for Phase 1 of Stockport 8, a £350 million residential development west of Stockport town centre.
The decision follows a competi
05/02/2025
Vistry Group has finalised contracts for a significant housing development in Hinckley, Leicestershire, securing outline planning permission to deliver 475 new homes in the area.
The development, located east of Stoke Road and north of Normandy Way in the town's northern region, has a projected val
05/02/2025
Wilten Construction has been awarded a second Design and Build contract at Gateway 14 by client Gateway 14 Ltd and Jaynic.
The project involves the development of a state-of-the-art, three-storey Skills and Innovation Centre spanning 35,000 sq ft in the heart of Gateway 14. Designed to achieve BREE
05/02/2025
Knowsley Council has approved a major housing development in Kirkby, giving the green light to 800 new energy-efficient homes in the town's centre.
The decision also secures £7.7 million in Section 106 contributions from developer Barratt David Wilson Homes, further boosting local investment.
The
05/02/2025
Keepmoat Homes has announced plans to invest over £50 million in three new housing developments across Calderdale, aiming to deliver more than 200 new homes.
The developments, undertaken in partnership with Calderdale Council, form part of the North Halifax Transformation Programme, a local authori
05/02/2025
Essential renewal work at Skerne Road level crossing in Driffield has been completed. Over a six-day period, engineers replaced decades-old equipment, installing a state-of-the-art operating system, replacing the level crossing deck, and resurfacing the road.
The newly installed operating system is
05/02/2025
Construction firm GRAHAM is currently carrying out essential restoration work at the National Railway Museum in York, replacing the Grade II listed roof structure at Station Hall.
Originally built between 1875 and 1877 as a goods station, Station Hall now houses the museum’s six royal carriages.
05/02/2025
Mezzanine floors are commonly associated with additional storage or expanded floor space, but did you know they can also have a profound impact on employee productivity and morale? At Doity Engineering, we specialise in designing and installing mezzanine floors for
05/02/2025
Construction work is commencing on a new solar array at Weeton Barracks in Lancashire that will generate over one third of the site’s energy needs.
The work has been funded under the British Army’s Project Prometheus, a scheme that is increasing renewable energy across the army estate through inst
05/02/2025
The regeneration of Hartlepool's waterfront has reached a significant milestone with a £631,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The funding will support the development phase of the 'Tides of Change' project, aimed at transforming the visitor experience at the Museum of Hartlepool a
