BRETBY / AGILITYPR.NEWS / May 06, 2026 / Leading provider of testing, inspection and certification services, SOCOTEC UK & Ireland has expanded its engineering and asset inspection services, through the acquisition of LSTC Group, based in Driffield, East Yorkshire.

Serving the UK's electrical transmission and distribution network sectors, LSTC has become the sixteenth acquisition made by SOCOTEC UK and Ireland since 2017, with the move enhancing SOCOTEC's existing infrastructure capabilities, while adding highly specialised expertise to the company's growing portfolio of critical infrastructure and energy sector services, as well as its 2,300 people and £240m of revenue in the UK & Ireland.

Since its inception in 1954, LSTC has established itself as a trusted provider of engineering, design and asset inspection services primarily for the UK's regulated energy infrastructure sector. The company serves transmission owners (TOs), distribution network operators (DNOs), independent connection providers (ICPs/IEPCs), and project developers across the energy infrastructure sector.

LSTC's service portfolio includes overhead line design and CAD services, survey capabilities, geotechnical assessments, earthing solutions, infrastructure projects, and comprehensive asset inspection services. Its revenue stream is well-diversified within the UK's RIIO-regulated energy infrastructure market, which reached £2.8bn for transmission and £4.4bn for distribution in 2024 and is expected to continue growing through to and beyond 2030.

The acquisition complements SOCOTEC's established infrastructure and energy sector portfolio, which already includes geotechnical engineering services, construction testing, monitoring and surveying. By incorporating LSTC's specialised expertise, SOCOTEC can increasingly offer services to the critical transmission & distribution sector.

SOCOTEC Group CEO, Hervé Montjotin, said of the acquisition: “With the acquisition of LSTC, SOCOTEC UK & Ireland reaches a new level of scale and capability in the power transmission and distribution sector. LSTC will play a central role within our UK platform, strengthening our position in a highly strategic market. This move is fully aligned with SOCOTEC Group’s global strategy to accelerate its development in critical infrastructure, particularly in power grids, which are essential to the energy transition.”

Matthew Marriott, CEO of SOCOTEC UK & Ireland, added: “The acquisition of LSTC represents a significant milestone in our growth strategy and commitment to enhancing infrastructure safety and reliability across the UK and Ireland.

“LSTC's expertise in serving the UK's regulated energy infrastructure sector, combined with their talented team, will significantly strengthen our engineering capabilities and expand our asset inspection offerings in this critical sector, particularly as the UK continues to invest in its transmission and distribution networks.

Steve Fowler, Managing Director at LSTC, said: “Joining forces with SOCOTEC UK & Ireland provides an exciting opportunity to expand our engineering, design, survey and inspection services while accessing wider resources, expertise and clients.

“Our team has built strong relationships with major transmission and distribution network operators, and as part of SOCOTEC, we look forward to building on that legacy while contributing to the company's comprehensive infrastructure and energy sector offering.”