Confidence today inspires tomorrow

RIDER LEVETT BUCKNALL

With a network that covers the globe and a heritage spanning over two centuries, Rider Levett Bucknall is a leading independent organisation in cost management and quantity surveying, project and programme management, asset advisory and specialist consultancy.

4,600

STAFF
36

COUNTRIES
115

OFFICES
240 +

YEARS

Our achievements are renowned: from the early days of pioneering quantity surveying to landmark projects such as the Sydney Opera House, HSBC Headquarters Building in Hong Kong, the 2012 London Olympic Games and CityCenter in Las Vegas.

We continue this successful legacy with our dedication to the value, quality and sustainability of the built environment. Our innovative thinking, global reach, and flawless execution push the boundaries. After over two centuries of taking ambitious projects from an idea to reality, we know we do more than quantity surveying – we’re ‘Bringing imagination to life’.

OUR VALUES AND CULTURE

At the core of RLB’s culture is a set of values that underpin our commitment to making progress happen. We believe that when we bring together the right people doing things the right way, we make progress for our clients and our communities.

RLB’s vision is to be the leading independent global property and construction consultancy. To achieve this, we aim to create a diverse and inclusive environment and paths for future growth that will make us the most desired place to work. We aim to be a long-term partner, adding value to every project for every client. And we work to be a force for good, making a positive, long-lasting difference in the communities where we live and work.

TRUTH

WE SPEAK THE TRUTH

We say what we mean and we do what we say.

We are passionate about getting the fundamentals right, striving for excellence and telling the truth always.

No exceptions.

TRUST

WE BUILD FOR THE LONG TERM

We focus on building long standing relationships.

We partner to bring our clients' imaginations to life for our communities.

By making business personal, we make remarkable things happen.

TOGETHER

WE LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER

We work hard, we’ve got each other’s backs and we try to enjoy the journey along the way.

Most importantly, we’re proud of what we build together.

TOMORROW

WE WORK TO DO GOOD

We’re here to make a long lasting positive impact on our communities and our planet.

To do that we will always be ready to grow and challenge each other.

Global Board

Our Global Board is made up of experienced leaders from all regions across the global practice who embody RLB’s beliefs and values. With a commitment to robust governance and continual improvement, the board defines and delivers global business strategy and policy, and guides RLB’s long-term direction to create value for our clients.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Making a positive and sustainable impact underpins everything we do. As a responsible business, we are committed to making a lasting difference, and meeting the needs of our stakeholders now and in the future. Our programme of CSR, community and social impact activities reinforces this commitment.

OUR HISTORY

RLB THROUGH THE YEARS

We've accomplished a lot in the last 240 years. Find out more about where we came from and where we're headed.

1785

HENRY COOPER & SONS FOUNDED

Architect Henry Cooper opens a practice in Reading, England. He pioneers a more systematic approach to understanding and managing construction costs that would help define a new profession: quantity surveying.
1850

DRIVING THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

With a second office now open in London, the firm works on some of the 19th century’s most ambitious civil engineering projects under one of the giants of the Industrial Revolution, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
1895

LONDON PRACTICE SOLD TO JOHN RIDER HUNT

Henry Cooper’s grandsons sell the London practice to John Rider Hunt. Renamed J. Rider Hunt and Co, the firm supports diverse projects including the construction of schools, hospitals, town halls and other public buildings.
1910

FIRM IS RENAMED RIDER HUNT & PARTNERS

As new partners join the practice, it changes its name to Rider Hunt & Partners. The firm continues to grow during the first half of the century and opens new offices across England.
1947

BUCKNALL AUSTIN FOUNDED

Charles Bucknall establishes Bucknall Austin from a small, top floor office in Birmingham, England. One of the firm’s early projects is advising the War Damage Commission on the cost of repairing and rebuilding property damaged during World War II.
1949

RIDER HUNT & PARTNERS EXPANDS TO AUSTRALIA

Rider Hunt & Partners opens its first overseas office in Melbourne, Australia, under the stewardship of Harry Wexler. In the following years, offices are opened in Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth.
1959

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

Rider Hunt’s quantity surveyors play a key role in bringing to life architect Jørn Utzon’s vision for the Sydney Opera House, construction of which starts this year and finishes 14 years later.
1962

LEVETT & BAILEY FOUNDED

Levett & Bailey is established in Hong Kong and the practice grows steadily on the back of the region’s economic development.
1972

NEW OFFICES IN NEW ZEALAND AND SINGAPORE

Rider Hunt opens an office in Auckland, New Zealand, and in the same year forms an association with Levett & Bailey to establish a joint office in Singapore.
1979

LEVETT & BAILEY DELIVERS FIRST PROJECT IN MAINLAND CHINA

Levett & Bailey becomes the first firm of quantity surveyors to work in Mainland China after being appointed to the Jinling Hotel in Nanjing, the nation’s tallest building until 1985.
1985

BUCKNALL AUSTIN OPENS OFFICE IN SAUDI ARABIA

Bucknall Austin establishes a base in Saudi Arabia to capitalise on the growing opportunities in the Kingdom’s construction sector. Over the coming decades, we develop our business across the Middle East and open offices in UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) and Qatar (Doha).
1991

RIDER HUNT CONSTRUCTION SERVICES IS FORMED

Rider Hunt and Levett & Bailey acquire Honolulu-based Construction Services Limited, laying the foundation for the current business in North America. During the 1990s, the firm opens offices in several US cities.
1992

RESTORING WINDSOR CASTLE TO ITS FORMER GLORY

Bucknall Austin provides cost management services for repair and restoration works at Windsor Castle following the fire that destroyed 115 rooms, including nine State Rooms.
1995

NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Rider Hunt partners with Liacor International Construction Services, the first dedicated quantity surveying firm in the Philippines, to form Rider Hunt Liacor.
2000

WE HELP DELIVER THE OLYMPICS

The firm applies its expertise to deliver the venues and infrastructure needed for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Our consultants go on to support the Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016 and Paris 2024 Olympics.
2003

FIRST OFFICE OPENS IN CARIBBEAN

Bucknall Austin establishes its first office in the Caribbean by joining forces with a local practice of quantity surveyors based in Barbados.
2007

THREE BECOME ONE – RLB IS BORN

Rider Hunt, Levett & Bailey and Bucknall Austin – three successful companies with common values, strengths and ambitions – come together to form Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB).
2008

RLB EXTENDS ITS REACH ACROSS EUROPE

RLB starts to build up a network of trusted European partners to provide full-service delivery to clients across the continent.
2013

RLB ENTERS THE AFRICAN MARKET

RLB partners with Pentad to enter the African market and later establishes an alliance with Schumann Consult.
2014

NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN CANADA

Toronto-based CRSP Cost Consultants, which was founded in 1969, joins up with RLB.
2018

FURTHER EXPANSION IN AFRICA

RLB continues to expand its presence in Africa through a new partnership with Mauritius-based Hooloomann & Associates.
2023

Investment in Europe and digital services

RLB strengthens its market positioning in Europe with the acquisition of MTM Project Solutions in Germany. Stand-alone consultancy RLB Digital is formed in the UK.
2024

Launch of new global values

RLB launches its new global values of Truth, Trust, Together, Tomorrow, representing principles the firm has always followed and selected based on employee feedback.
2025

Service offer expanded in US

RLB establishes a strategic partnership with Conventional Wisdom, a North American leader in convention centre consulting services.
2026

Global workforce exceeds 4,600

Today RLB has more than 4,600 people working out of 115 offices in 35 countries around the world.