SOCOTEC UK and Ireland Acquires Major Irish Infrastructure Firm

Leading provider of testing, inspection and certification services, SOCOTEC UK and Ireland has today announced the acquisition of Lloyds Datum Group (LDG), experts in foundation testing, structural monitoring, geotechnical and environmental systems, headquartered in Belfast.

The strategic acquisition enhances SOCOTEC’s capabilities in the infrastructure field, with LDG’s expertise expanding SOCOTEC’s overall offering, as well as marking further growth into the island of Ireland and SOCOTEC’s first office in Northern Ireland.

The acquisition of LDG is the latest in a series of strategic steps made by SOCOTEC to help widen its infrastructure services, both geographically and with the depth of services offered. 

LDG, which comprises of both Lloyd Acoustics Limited and Datum Monitoring Ireland Limited, has over 25 years of experience and has established itself as a trusted provider of foundation pile testing, monitoring, including asset integrity and stability monitoring, as well as civils, with micro piling and anchoring contracting being a key area of expertise.

Alongside utilising SOCOTEC’s experience to enhance the client offerings in Ireland, there are also plans to utilise LDG’s expertise increasingly within the rest of the UK, primarily to complex foundation and micro-piling projects. With close proximity to Scotland, too, there is potential for SOCOTEC UK and Ireland’s offering here to increase, following LDG’s acquisition.

SOCOTEC CEO Hervé Montjotin said: “Acquiring Lloyds Datum Group aligns with the outline set in place by SOCOTEC Group, and brings further growth on the island of Ireland for our UK and Ireland operations, which now boasts a presence in both Belfast and Dublin.

“Our Infrastructure business is one of high strategic importance for SOCOTEC, with 37% of our global turnover stemming from our seven platforms in Europe and the US. 

“We already provide air emissions and fire safety services in the Republic of Ireland, and are looking forward to the customer bases of LDG and SOCOTEC benefitting further from our shared knowledge base.”

Matthew Marriott, CEO of SOCOTEC UK and Ireland, said: “This acquisition of Lloyds Datum Group is the next step of our growth strategy and the expansion of our Infrastructure capabilities across the UK and Ireland. 

“Following our second Scottish acquisition in two years, our first major acquisition in Ireland marks the next stage of expanding our geographical footprint, doubling our overall office space in Ireland, and demonstrating our commitment to continue investing in this important area.”

Nigel Dillon, Managing Director at Lloyds Datum Group, will continue in his position to lead LDG under the new SOCOTEC ownership, and added: “Partnering with SOCOTEC UK and Ireland gives LDG an incredible platform from which to expand and deliver an enhanced service offering to our clients.

“With our Belfast HQ and Dublin office in place, we are looking forward to becoming part of SOCOTEC’s presence on the island of Ireland, and building upon our existing legacy, while accessing wider resources and expertise.”

About the SOCOTEC Group

Accompanying companies for over 70 years, the SOCOTEC Group, chaired by Hervé Montjotin, has built its reputation as an independent trusted third party in the fields of risk management, compliance, safety, health and environment in the Building, Real Estate, Infrastructure and Industry sectors.

As a guarantor of the integrity, sustainability and performance of built assets, SOCOTEC is developing a range of services in testing, inspection and certification, from technical control, the group's historical expertise, to technical consulting and risk management services related to construction, infrastructure and industrial facilities. Its expertise enables it to support its private and public sector clients throughout the life cycle of their buildings and equipment to strengthen their sustainability.

No. 1 in construction inspection in France, No. 1 in geotechnical services and construction quality control in the United Kingdom and Italy, the group is a major player in TIC (Testing Inspection Certification) services in the Construction and Infrastructure sectors in Europe and the United States. The SOCOTEC group has consolidated revenues of €1.7 billion in 2025 (42% of which generated in France, and 58% coming from the international footprint), with 250,000 clients. With a presence in 26 countries and 14,500 employees, it has more than 250 external accreditations, enabling it to act as a trusted third party in many projects.

More information on: www.socotec.com 

About Lloyds Datum Group (LDG) 

Formed in 2019, Lloyds Datum Group comprises LDG Civils, LDG Testing and LDG Datum, three different elements of the industry that regularly work consecutively on construction projects. This one stop shop approach gives the Group market leadership over the Irish pile testing and monitoring market and the UK.

LDG offers a three-tier approach across its each division for its clients – LDG Testing (pile foundation testing), LDG Datum Monitoring (geotechnical and structural monitoring) and LDG Civils (design engineering, micro piling and anchoring contracting, or acting as the supervision for main contractors).