Dubai’s Sidara to acquire Wood Group in USD 292-million deal

DUBAI, September 1, 2025 – Global design and engineering group Sidara has agreed to acquire UK-based John Wood Group in a conditional takeover offer worth USD 292 million, the companies said on Friday.

The deal includes a USD 450-million capital injection and assumption of USD 1.6 billion in debt. The acquisition, structured through Sidara’s entity Bidco, concludes a year-long pursuit marked by several proposals and rejections. Shareholders will receive 30 pence in cash per share under the agreement.

The transaction aims to stabilise Wood’s financial position through Sidara’s capital support, an extension of Wood’s debt facilities to 2028 and enhanced liquidity. “This is a transformational moment for our company… Our vision is for Wood to take the lead in energy and materials,” Sidara chair and chief executive officer Talal Shair said.

Sidara intends to retain the Wood brand and position it as its Energy and Materials division. “In Sidara, we will have an owner that values our people, brand and deep client relationships,” Wood CEO Ken Gilmartin said.

Sidara is a global planning, design, engineering and project management group operating as a partnership of leading brands. It functions through a five-pillar model covering multi-disciplinary, architecture, project management, global infrastructure and energy. Its clients include global energy firms, hospitals, airports and governments.

The enlarged group will have a balanced revenue mix, with approximately 40% from North America and 20% each from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. Sidara aims to create a highly diversified engineering and design leader, leveraging private ownership for long-term investment and growth.

Wood is a UK-based engineering and consultancy company with global operations in energy, petrochemicals and infrastructure. It is a key partner for oil and gas operators and plays a growing role in renewables, hydrogen, decarbonisation and carbon capture projects.

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