ORS Group’s people-first growth strategy drives continued expansion

Award-winning consultancy scales to over 400 employees while maintaining a culture-led approach to growth and acquisitions.

ORS Group’s growth story has always been driven by purpose.

The Irish multidisciplinary consultancy has spent recent years focused on building a business that continues to grow rapidly while protecting the culture, flexibility and people-first ethos that helped drive its success in the first place.

Now employing more than 400 people across Ireland, the UK and Europe, ORS has emerged as one of the country’s fastest-growing consultancies through a combination of strategic acquisitions, organic expansion and a strong focus on long-term integration.

That approach continues to deliver results.

In recent months, the company was named Consultancy Firm of the Year at the Irish Building and Design Awards 2026, alongside winning Consultancy of the Year and Graduate Programme of the Year at the Engineering Excellence Awards.

At the same time, ORS has also continued to strengthen its reputation as an employer, achieving Great Place to Work recognition for the eighth consecutive year and being named a Best Workplace for Health and Wellbeing for the second year running.

For Rachel Murray, Director of People and Brand at ORS, the two areas are deeply connected.

“Growth only works long-term when culture grows with it,” she said.

“We’ve worked very intentionally to create an environment where people feel trusted, supported and empowered to do their best work. That culture is a huge part of why we continue to attract great people, retain talent and successfully integrate teams as the business evolves.”

That integration strategy has become one of ORS’ defining strengths.

To date, the Group has completed 12 acquisitions, expanding both its geographical reach and multidisciplinary service offering. While most businesses have been fully integrated into ORS, three continue to operate semi-autonomously, reflecting what the company describes as a flexible and people-led approach to growth.

Earlier this year, ORS welcomed TWM, a commercial property advisory firm, into the Group, further strengthening its ability to support clients across the entire project lifecycle, from early-stage feasibility and planning through to project completion.

The company says maintaining continuity for both people and clients has been central to every acquisition.

In a sector where acquisitions can often create disruption, ORS says a strong emphasis on communication, cultural alignment and long-term relationships has helped ensure continuity for both people and clients throughout its growth journey.

Managing Director, John Brennan said ORS has always prioritised sustainable growth over aggressive expansion.

“Our growth has always been intentional,” he said.

“We’ve focused on bringing strong teams together, creating opportunities for people and building a business that can continue to scale without losing what makes it successful. That means protecting culture, maintaining trust and ensuring people feel part of something long-term.”

This people-first philosophy continues to shape how ORS operates internally, with flexibility, autonomy and collaboration positioned as key drivers of performance and retention.

The Group’s continued expansion has also been supported through its partnership with Irish private equity firm, Erisbeg, enabling ORS to invest in new services, talent and acquisitions while continuing to scale the business strategically.

Looking ahead, ORS plans to grow its workforce supported by a strong pipeline of opportunities across engineering, infrastructure, property and multidisciplinary consultancy services.

As the business continues to evolve, leadership at ORS says the focus remains unchanged: building a consultancy that combines technical excellence with a genuinely people-centred culture.

The Group says it remains open to speaking with business owners and founders who may be considering succession planning, strategic growth opportunities or joining a larger multidisciplinary platform.

At the same time, ORS continues to invest in talent across its expanding service lines and geographical footprint, with opportunities available for professionals seeking to be part of a fast-growing, culture-led consultancy.

Further information on career opportunities and the Group’s multidisciplinary services can be found at ors.ie/careers/.