Chapmanbdsp has doubled the size of its specialist data centre team over the past 12 months, as rising demand for mission-critical projects continues to fuel recruitment across the UK’s engineering consultancy market.

The building services consultancy said it has grown its dedicated data centre headcount by 100% in a year – from nine to more than 18 specialists – and expects further hiring as workload increases through 2026.

The expansion follows what the firm described as a strong 2025 for its mission-critical business, with an increased volume of confirmed projects. Chapmanbdsp said this has allowed it to secure around two-thirds of its data centre budget for the next financial year ahead of schedule.

Much of the work in the current pipeline relates to fast-track data hall fit-outs, alongside design-and-build data centre projects, according to the company.

David Gallagher, chapmansbdsp’s Director, Mission Critical, commented, “Data centre demand is rising fast, but only organisations with access to specialist expertise can deliver today’s increasingly complex projects. Our focus has been on building the right team, securing the right work and positioning ourselves where technical expertise and early engagement add the greatest value.”

While the firm did not disclose project locations or client names, it said its data centre work sits primarily in the mid-range market – typically schemes between 10MW and 100MW – and includes support for contractors during later delivery stages, such as detailed design, technical reviews, and assurance.

That focus reflects a segment of the market that is expanding rapidly, as operators and developers push to deliver capacity quickly, while also balancing tighter requirements around power availability, resilience, and buildability. For consulting engineers, it is also a space where early-stage design decisions can have an outsized impact on programme and performance – particularly on fast-track fit-outs.

First Middle East project as international opportunities emerge

Alongside UK delivery, chapmanbdsp said it has completed its first data centre project in the Middle East and is pursuing further opportunities in the region as part of a wider push to broaden its geographic reach.

The company said it is planning new teams to support international growth, while maintaining a ‘measured and sustainable approach’ as it enters 2026.