It’s now three months since PJA welcomed Key Transport Consultants (KTC) into the business, a move that has strengthened our capability, broadened our regional presence, and brought together two teams with a shared commitment to practical, people‑focused transport planning.
Since the acquisition, colleagues across both organisations have been working closely to integrate expertise, systems and project delivery approaches. The result is a growing number of opportunities to collaborate, learn from one another, and enhance the services we offer to clients.
At the heart of this transition has been David Tingay, former Director of KTC and now Technical Director at PJA. In this Q&A, David reflects on the first three months: how the integration is progressing, what’s been most rewarding, and what lies ahead as the combined team continues to evolve.
Looking back on your first three months at PJA, how would you describe the transition following the acquisition of KTC?
We were already familiar with PJA before the acquisition, and I had previously worked with Matt McFeat, Technical Director in PJA’s Bristol office, for eight years during my time at KTC. Moving across as an established, live business meant that, for the first few weeks, we continued to focus on existing KTC projects, which helped make the transition feel natural and manageable.
Adapting to PJA’s file‑naming and document‑management conventions took a little time, but we weren’t alone. The business had recently implemented a new QA system, so everyone was learning together.
One of the things that immediately stood out about PJA is the scale of the organisation. Having dedicated support across areas such as HR and finance has been a real benefit. And although those functions are larger than what we were used to, it didn’t take long to get to know the people behind them. For example, when I needed my first PO number, a colleague from the accounts team picked up the phone and talked me through the process, which was a small gesture that made a big difference in helping us feel part of the team.
Maintaining strong client relationships is always a priority during an acquisition. How has that continuity been managed, and what has the response from clients been so far?
Some clients barely noticed the change, as the transition was seamless apart from a new email address and footer. Others got in touch to congratulate us, with several mentioning their previous experience of working with PJA on projects in other sectors.
Even before the acquisition was announced, KTC had already put PJA forward for the detailed design work on a project we’d been appointed to. This has already demonstrated the benefit of being part of a multidisciplinary team. We’re now having day‑to‑day conversations in the office, asking and answering technical questions directly, without needing to go back through the project manager. It’s streamlined communication and strengthened the quality of our collective input.
Since joining PJA, how has your ability to support clients evolved, particularly in terms of the range of services now available?
Beyond being able to offer a broader range of services, one of the biggest benefits has been the ease of sharing knowledge. Having colleagues with different specialisms just a quick conversation away has already proved valuable. For example, I recently needed advice on the construction timeframes for a concrete pad to support a temporary access. Being able to walk across the office and speak directly to someone with hands‑on experience made the process quicker and more efficient.
The ability to draw on a wider pool of expertise is a real strength. If you come across a technical challenge, chances are someone else in the company has dealt with something similar before. It’s also been great collaborating with teams in other PJA offices across the country, broadening perspectives and strengthening the support we can offer clients.
Have there been any standout projects, conversations, or achievements during these first few months that capture what the acquisition was designed to achieve?
I’ve recently been working with Nigel Millington, Joint Managing Director, on the Haddenham Airfield site. The technical work was being delivered by the Bristol team, with Nigel leading the project. Because colleagues in the office had been asking questions about junction modelling and layouts, I already had a good understanding of the scheme. Nigel then asked me to join a client meeting, which gave me the chance to demonstrate how effectively we’re now working as a joined‑up team across different PJA offices.
How would you describe the cultural fit between KTC and PJA, and how has that influenced the integration so far?
The fact that we were working on projects from day one, and continuing seamlessly with existing KTC work, shows just how smooth the integration has been. As mentioned earlier, many clients and consultants are unlikely to have noticed any change beyond a new email address.
It was also great to have an introductory call with PJA’s Chairman, Phil Jones, which really demonstrated the friendliness and openness of the company. Some people might feel apprehensive about speaking with the chairman, but it was simply a relaxed, welcoming conversation. The same was true when Joint Managing Directors, Nigel and Mark, joined us for the office Christmas meal. Moments like these genuinely reinforce the positive, approachable culture at PJA.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the next phase at PJA?
I’m looking forward to getting involved in larger projects alongside colleagues from other disciplines. One of the real advantages we can offer clients is the ability to collaborate in the background day‑to‑day, rather than waiting for formal meetings to solve problems or move things forward.
Now that our children are getting older and need a little less of our time, I’m also hoping to work towards becoming chartered.
And, of course, my wife is already asking when we’ll be setting up another Australian office… we’ll see what the future holds!
Get in touch
David Tingay:
T: +44 (0)117 203 2827
E: [email protected]
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