Global consulting firm J.S. Held has acquired GHL Consultants, Ltd., a Canadian fire engineering and building code consulting company, in a move that expands its technical expertise in Canada.
Vancouver-based GHL works with developers, architects, government agencies, legal counsel, and institutions such as hospitals and universities. The firm’s work spans building code compliance, fire engineering, wood fire safety, transportation infrastructure, certified professional services, and legal and forensic consulting.
With the acquisition, GHL clients gain access to more than 1,500 technical, scientific, financial, and strategic specialists within J.S. Held. The deal continues J.S. Held’s expansion in Canada, adding decades of engineering and architecture experience to its operations.
“Joining J.S. Held provides an enhanced platform to continue our growth trajectory,” said GHL founding principal Andrew Harmsworth. “We look forward to working with J.S. Held’s global team of forensic architects, engineers, fire investigators, chemists, materials scientists, and building code experts. Our shared technical and scientific specialties are a key part of what led us to join J.S. Held.”
GHL has contributed to national code changes for wood-framed construction, advised on Canada’s first 18-storey mass timber building, and provided expertise for rapid transit systems, ports, airports, and other projects outside prescriptive code requirements. The firm also acts as an expert witness in fire-related mediation and litigation.
“Our clients will benefit from the technical expertise of J.S. Held in areas such as accident reconstruction, forensic animation, construction advisory, environmental health and safety, human factors, equipment consulting, and materials science,” said GHL managing principal John Buscemi.
Senior executive vice-president and J.S. Held Insurance Services Division lead Jim Stanilious said the addition of GHL strengthens the company’s ability to advise Canadian insurers, property owners, developers, provincial agencies, and professional service firms.
