Marine infrastructure group snaps up engineering specialist after profits triple

A marine infrastructure group has acquired an engineering specialist that more than tripled profits and increased turnover by 86 per cent in FY2025, strengthening its position in a growing UK marine infrastructure market.

Ancora Group has acquired Suffolk-based Red7Marine, creating a national integrated marine solutions provider serving ports, waterways, coastal and offshore projects across the UK.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

The deal combines Red7Marine’s £38.6 million turnover business with Ancora’s existing operations – Teignmouth Maritime Services, Hesselberg Erosion Protection and Marine Plant Hire – expanding the group’s engineering expertise, specialist fleet and geographic reach.

Founded in 1999, Red7Marine operates across marine civils, flood defence, offshore renewables and major infrastructure projects.

The company reported profits of £4.6 million in FY2025, more than three times the previous year, driven by strong demand for marine construction, investment in offshore renewable energy and increased spending on infrastructure and flood defence projects.

Its fleet of specialist marine plant, including jack-up vessels, will enhance Ancora’s ability to self-deliver complex projects nationwide.

Red7Marine managing director, Kristen Branford said: “I have worked with the wider Ancora team for over 20 years and have built a close and trusted working relationship with them over that time.

“Their culture and approach to delivery are closely aligned with our own at Red7Marine, which I believe will help create a very strong combined team and working environment.”

The acquisition is Ancora’s first since it was backed by private equity firm Sullivan Street Partners in March 2025 as part of a strategy to build a major UK marine infrastructure platform.

Ancora Group chief executive officer Simon Light said he was looking forward to taking the group to “new heights”.

“I am incredibly proud of what we, as Ancora Group, have achieved in our first year with Sullivan Street, with clients and communities continuing to face a complex combination of ageing assets, mounting climate, regulatory, geo-political and economic pressures,” he said.

“These challenges call for broader integrated solutions centred on deep levels of asset knowledge, specialist technical capability and the ability to work alongside clients and partners to deliver desired outcomes.”

Recent Red7Marine projects include the Barrier Gardens Pier extension in London and support work at Scotland’s Beatrice Offshore Windfarm, while Ancora businesses have delivered the £3.1 million strengthening of Appledore’s Middle Dock Quay Wall in Devon and a £7.8 million coastal defence programme across the Isles of Scilly.

Sullivan Street and Ancora were advised by Burges Salmon, RSM, and PwC.

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