The acquisition of Red7Marine by Ancora Group has introduced a major shift within the marine civil engineering and coastal infrastructure sector. The deal, completed for an undisclosed sum, represents the first acquisition by Ancora since it was acquired by private equity firm Sullivan Street Partners (SSP) in March 2025.
Red7Marine, headquartered in Ipswich and established in 1999, specializes in marine engineering work spanning marine civils, flood defense, offshore renewables, cables, and nuclear infrastructure. Notably, the company completed a £2 million river wall project in Suffolk in 2022, designed to protect the 100-year-old Sladdens Pier. The company, registered under the name I&C Ltd, reported a £37 million turnover and £4.6 million pre-tax profit for the year ending July 31, 2025.
This acquisition is expected to enhance Ancora Group’s operational capabilities and geographic presence. According to Sullivan Street Partners, Red7Marine’s fleet of specialist jack-up vessels will strengthen Ancora’s self-delivery capabilities. The move also supports SSP’s broader strategy of building a network of marine contractors with the expertise, in-house capabilities, and scale to handle complex infrastructure projects nationwide.
Simon Light, CEO of Ancora Group, emphasized the combined experience of the two companies, stating,
"Red7Marine and Ancora together have over 100 years of highly specialist marine plant and civil engineering experience, delivering project outcomes across the UK’s coastal, inland and offshore environments. We are excited about the opportunities our joint capabilities will bring to our clients, employees and partners, and I am looking forward to taking the Group to ever greater heights."
SSP, which acquired Ancora last year, expressed strong support for the acquisition. Layton Tamberlin, managing partner at SSP, commented,
"We are pleased to support this important add-on for Ancora Group. Since we acquired the group in March last year, our long-term goal has been to build a national group of marine contractors with specialist capabilities. This acquisition is a clear step towards that goal, and we are delighted to bring a business with such a strong reputation into the Ancora Group."
The acquisition of Red7Marine is a notable milestone in Ancora’s expansion. The group, which also includes Teignmouth Maritime Services, Hesselberg Erosion Protection, and Marine Plant Hire, is positioning itself as a leading marine infrastructure contractor in the UK. This move is expected to broaden Ancora's operational reach, particularly along the south coast, while adding valuable resources and expertise to the group’s portfolio.
The partnership between Ancora and Red7Marine appears poised to address the increasing demand for complex marine infrastructure projects, leveraging their combined knowledge and resources to deliver innovative solutions across the UK.
