Black & White Engineering opens Virginia & Tampa offices

Black & White Engineering has opened offices in Virginia and Tampa as it launches its North America operation, extending the UK-headquartered consultancy's network to 34 locations.

The two US sites are the first phase of its regional expansion, with a Texas office also in progress. The business is already working in the US on multidisciplinary master planning and early-stage engineering for hyperscale data centre campuses and AI factories.

The launch is the latest step in a period of rapid growth for the business, which has expanded from about 100 employees in 2020 to more than 1,300. It aims to build its North America team to around 200 people by 2029.

Hiring is expected across technical engineering, electrical, mechanical, BIM, and project and design management roles. Recruitment is central to the US growth plan as the consultancy builds local teams to serve clients across North America.

US buildout

The US operation is being led by Fergus Davidson, Area Director, Florida, and Matthew James, Technical Director, Virginia. The two locations give the consultancy a local base in markets closely tied to demand for digital infrastructure.

Virginia is one of the world's most established data centre markets, while Tampa gives the group a presence in Florida as it seeks to expand its US reach. The business wants its North America team to build local relationships while remaining connected to its wider international operation.

"Establishing Black & White Engineering in the United States is a landmark moment for our business. For 19 years, we have built our reputation, technical capability and culture across some of the world's most important markets. North America is the final piece of the jigsaw in creating a truly global platform for our clients.

"The timing could not be more exciting. AI and digital infrastructure investment are driving extraordinary levels of demand, scale and technical complexity, and that sits right at the heart of what Black & White Engineering does.

"We are also arriving with momentum. We already have projects underway, strong local leadership in place, and the full backing of more than 1,300 colleagues across our One Global Team. This is the start of a very significant chapter for Black & White Engineering."

said Mick Cairns, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Black & White Engineering.

Regional focus

Davidson said Tampa and Virginia present different conditions for recruitment and project delivery. The consultancy is looking to add engineers with experience relevant to the data centre market, while also bringing in people from adjacent disciplines.

Davidson has worked in mission-critical facilities since 2006 and has experience in design and programme management for global data centre programmes. He has previously built and led multi-discipline data centre design teams.

"The opportunity to grow the Black & White brand in the US was a major draw. The business has built a strong reputation across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and there is a clear opportunity to bring that experience and technical expertise into North America.

"Tampa is a different market from Virginia. Part of the role here is attracting engineers into the data centre sector and giving them the backing to build specialist careers. We want to create a team that can grow with client demand and help the market develop.

"For those joining us early, there is a real opportunity to help shape the team and the way we work in the US, while having the backing and technical expertise of more than 1,300 colleagues across the wider Black & White Engineering business. We want the North America team to have its own local relationships while remaining closely connected to the wider group."

said Davidson.

In Virginia, the company has appointed James to lead technical work in a market known for large-scale data centre development. His background includes mechanical engineering for mission-critical data centres, with a focus on high-density compute and liquid-cooled systems.

The company's current US work is focused on the early stages of large digital infrastructure schemes, including setting technical and spatial frameworks to support phased construction and later expansion.

This places the consultancy in a part of the market shaped by sustained investment in data centres and related infrastructure, particularly as developers and operators plan sites for more intensive computing loads. Its existing US projects and local leadership team provide a base for broader regional growth.

"Black & White Engineering's specialist data centre expertise, US growth plans and reputation for technical delivery all stood out to me. My focus is on building a high-performing engineering team that will deliver innovative, technically rigorous solutions for the next generation of high-density data centres."

said James.