This year is a hugely significant year for McBains, as 2025 marks the major anniversary of not one, but both, of the firm’s founding companies. Quite remarkably, it's been 240 years since the establishment of Henry Cooper & Sons in 1785, whilst McBains (in its original entity) was founded an entire century ago in 1925.
These incredible milestones not only symbolise the company’s deep historical roots, but also its enduring commitment to innovation, technical excellence and collaboration.
The business can trace its origins back to the 18th century, when Henry Cooper & Sons – originally a firm of architects – was established and which went on to effectively introduce the concept of quantity surveying by being the first established firm to advise clients in advance of how much a design or project would cost. Seemingly a revolutionary idea in the 1700s but arguably one of the industry's most important commercial advancements of all time and the original finding of the better way.
The original ‘McBains’ and the firm’s second founding company dates back to 1925, when it was originally established as a London-based project and building consultancy
In 1993, Henry Cooper and McBains merged to become McBains Cooper. The firms shared the same values of integrity, trust, and mutual support and both businesses have left an indelible mark on the business’ collective identity today.
During the latter half of the 1990s, the business began its evolution into a truly inter-disciplinary consultancy, with the introduction of firstly architecture and then the engineering divisions.
The joining of two businesses and the subsequent addition of disciplines meant that the firm needed to embrace a collaborative approach and encourage all disciplines to work together without barriers. It is this open and transparent culture that McBains continues to pride itself on and that sets them apart from the many multi-disciplinary businesses.
In 2017 McBains Cooper rebranded to McBains, marking a new chapter in its evolution following the introduction of RSBG as a long-term investor to support its growth and development and reflecting the company’s ambition of seeking continual improvement, finding a better way of working and striving for simplicity.
The Cooper and McBains names have been shaping skylines since 1785 and 1925 respectively; placing the company at the forefront of progress for centuries. The firm’s values of changing the industry for the better and seeking greater innovation and quality are as much a part of its make-up today as they were then.
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