BB7 joins CERTANIA to establish UK and Ireland Buildings & Infrastructure platform
Leading fire and façade consultancy becomes a cornerstone of CERTANIA’s expansion into the UK and Irish market.
Munich/London/Dublin, 15th Oct 2025 – BB7 Consulting Ltd, a leading Fire, Façade and building safety advisory services firm in the UK and Ireland has joined the CERTANIA Group, a dynamic and fast-growing international group specialising in Testing, Inspection & Certification (TIC) as well as scientific, laboratory, and compliance services.
Founded in 2009 by Ben Bradford, BB7 has evolved into the UK and Ireland’s leading specialist consultancy in fire and façade engineering, strengthened by its comprehensive building safety services. As a certified B Corporation and recognised as an outstanding employer by Best Companies, BB7 continues to set the standard for responsible business, driving sustainable growth and delivering social value with its “one team” approach.
With a network of 10 offices and a team of more than 180 experts, including 30 chartered professionals, BB7 continues to expand its national presence and expertise. The deal marks a successful exit for growth capital investor BGF which has backed BB7 since 2019. BB7 is now entering an exciting new chapter of growth as it joins the CERTANIA Group.
The partnership also marks a major step in CERTANIA’s strategic expansion into the UK and Ireland Buildings & Infrastructure market, with BB7 serving as one of the cornerstones of a new platform focused on building safety, regulatory assurance, and sustainable design. Together with Clarke Banks and Xact, BB7 will form a joint business within CERTANIA’s Buildings & Infrastructure Division, creating one of the UK and Ireland’s most comprehensive and interdisciplinary consultancies for the built environment.
“Joining CERTANIA marks a defining moment for BB7,” says Ben Bradford, Founder and CEO of BB7. “This partnership strengthens our ability to deliver our purpose, adding certainty to life, by shaping safer, more sustainable built environments. With CERTANIA, we gain the scale and support to accelerate our vision, while maintaining the independence and values that define us.”
“BB7 brings outstanding expertise, leadership, and reputation in building safety and fire engineering,” says Karsten Xander, Founder and CEO of CERTANIA. “Their entrepreneurial mindset and technical excellence perfectly align with our mission to build a group of specialist companies united by quality, trust, and purpose. Together, we are establishing a strong platform for Buildings & Infrastructure in the UK and Ireland.”
With enhanced resources and a shared vision for sustainable growth, BB7 with CERTANIA Group are poised to advance on their “Designing with purpose, building with care’ agenda, “adding certainty to life” and create a market-leading, interdisciplinary platform that sets new standards across the industry.
From left to right:
Karsten Xander, Founder and CEO of CERTANIA. Linda Douglas, CPO, BB7. Ben Bradford, CEO, BB7. Koby Dankwah, CFO, BB7. Kevin Davies, M&A Director, CERTANIA.
About CERTANIA: Headquartered in Munich, CERTANIA is an international Testing, Inspection & Certification company with centuries of experience. Their experts have shaped industry standards and pioneered methods from food and life sciences to energy, industry, construction, and infrastructure. For more information, visit www.certania.com
Special thanks to: BB7 Chairwoman Katie Beck. The BB7 C-suite team Koby Dankwah, CFO, and Linda Douglas, CPO. BGF, Clearwater, Squire Patton Boggs, EIGHT ADVISORY, CIL Management Consultants, and the BB7 Leadership team for all their help, support, and encouragement.