About Us

40+

years of experience

1,000

people

6,500

clients

2,000+

engagement p.a.

30+

languages

$250bn

disputes resolved

We help clients navigate through the complexity that spirals with scale, multiple interfaces and new technologies.

HKA brings a proud record of excellent service and high achievement to bear on today’s challenges. As trusted independent consultants, experts and advisers, we help clients manage disputes, risk and uncertainty on complex contracts and challenging projects.

We work with government agencies, local authorities, contractors, legal firms and other professional service providers, as well as owners and operators, financial institutions and insurers. Clients have access to leaders and problem-solvers who decode complexity through collaborative working and innovative thinking, making the best possible outcomes a reality for our clients, every time.

Clients have access to proven leaders and problem-solvers who decode complexity through collaborative working and innovative thinking.

As well as more than 500 expert witnesses, HKA now has in excess of 500 advisors and consultants – across 40+ offices in 18 countries – with the skills and experience that are essential to get to the heart of even the most complex issues. Our people have vast first-hand experience spanning all major industries and the world’s most complex megaprojects, as well as an international track record of achieving successful outcomes.

Achieving successful and fair outcomes is our passion, so we have the confidence always to provide impartial advice as well as expert insight. We are proud to make the difference that benefits clients and their projects, our industry and society at large.

HKA’s global portfolio includes some of the world’s largest and most prestigious commissions across a wide range of industries including buildings, industrial & manufacturing, power & utilities, resources, transportation infrastructure, technology, financial services, government contracts and non-profit.

The Cadogans story began in 1970. A. L. Hancox founded Hancox & Partners, a mechanical and electrical (M&E) practice designing and installing hospital boilers and chimneys. The firm’s first assignment was at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, Scotland, UK.

Knowles is founded in Manchester by James Roger Knowles, specialising in construction dispute resolution.

Irvin E. Richter launches Hill International, Inc. from his home in Willingboro, New Jersey, USA.

Binnington Copeland & Associates is founded by Bill Copeland and Chris Binnington, as a specialist engineering and construction contracts consultancy. Its first office was in Progress House in Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.

In 1988, Hancox & Partners became Rendel Hancox, part of the High-Point Group of Companies, following High-Point’s acquisition of civil engineering consultants Rendel, Palmer and Tritton (RPT).

Following a merger with the Glasgow branch of RPT, Rendel Hancox is renamed Rendel Palmer & Tritton (Scotland), providing mechanical, electrical, civil and structural engineering consultancy services.

Chitester Management Systems is founded in Tampa, Florida, USA, by Tim Chitester, specialising in construction claims analysis, property loss and building consulting, and programme management services.

Pickavance Consulting is founded in London by Keith Pickavance, an internationally-recognised figure in the field of construction disputes and author of Delay and Disruption in Construction Contracts, now in its 5th edition and recognised internationally as the definitive work on the subject.

Following a management buy-out, Rendel Palmer & Tritton (Scotland) becomes Cadogan Consultants, operating as a private limited company. The firm enjoyed a close working relationship with chemical engineering expert Brian Locke, and carried out work under the umbrella of his consultancy named after his residence in Cadogan Square, London. After separating from High-Point Rendel, and following Brian’s retirement, the firm became Cadogan Consultants.

James R Knowles becomes a quoted company on the AIM market (formerly known as the Alternative Investment Market).

McLachlan Lister is founded in Sydney, Australia by Russell Lister. The company becomes synonymous with pioneering project consultancy practices in Australia. Its first project is at the Harold Park Paceway, a half-mile harness racing track in Glebe, New South Wales.

MapleConsult, established at Exchange Quay, Salford Quays, Manchester, a subsidiary of QS practice Haleys (formerly known as Haley Somerset Consulting) is acquired by Hill International.

Pickavance Consulting, with offices in London and Hong Kong is acquired by Hill International

James R. Knowles (Holdings) PLC, headquartered in Daresbury, Warrington, UK, is acquired by Hill International, Inc. At the time of acquisition, Knowles employed more than 350 staff operating from 36 offices throughout the UK, Western Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia, Canada and the United States.

Hill International Construction Claims & Consulting Group restructures operations to create three distinct regions: the Americas; Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA); and Asia-Pacific.

Hill International acquires PCI Group, LLC, a Las Vegas-based firm that provides scheduling, construction claims, project management support, and software sales and support services throughout the western United States.

Hill International acquires Chitester Management Systems, Inc., based in Tampa, Florida, USA.

Hill International acquires Sydney-based McLachlan Lister, a firm providing management consulting services throughout Australia.

Hill International acquires Binnington Copeland & Associates, a leading construction advisory and training practice in South Africa for over 25 years.

Expert engineering firm Cadogans, with around 30 professionals operating from offices in Glasgow and Dundee, Scotland, UK, is acquired by Hill International.

Operating as a privately-owned organisation with management equity, supported by Bridgepoint Development Capital, Hill’s Construction Claims & Consulting Group (including subsidiaries Binnington Copeland & Associates, Cadogans, Hill-PCI Group, Knowles, and McLachlan Lister) completes its sale and de-merger from Hill International, Inc., and becomes HKA.

HKA acquired The Kenrich Group LLC, an American-based expert, business and litigation consulting firm, creating the largest construction claims consultancy in the United States.

Probyn Miers, the UK’s leading firm of Expert Architects in the field of Construction Dispute Avoidance and Resolution, is now part of HKA.

HKA acquired Robert Breeze Associates, a UK-based expert business, bringing experts with a strong pedigree in shipbuilding, marine and offshore sectors to bolster European operations.

PAI Partners acquires HKA from Bridgepoint Development Capital

HKA acquires TM Financial Forensics LLC (TMF), significantly increasing our disputes practices in the Americas and enhancing our global capabilities in forensic accounting, commercial damages and government contracts, globally.

When we engage with our clients, customers and other stakeholders, our success revolves around individual relationships and trust.

“Our people are leaders and problem-solvers, who thrive on complexity.

By collaborative practices and innovative thinking, our clients receive an offering that is constantly evolving and improving in response to their needs.”

Renny Borhan, Partner & CEO

We convey a message of careful thinking and planning, offering a steady hand to our stakeholders. At the same, we deliver a responsive service with an ability to bring out our values and knowledge to bear on any situations that may arise.

Our brand values and core principles help shape our behaviour and actions, ensuring we remain on the right path and fulfil our goals to our stakeholders. We continuously strive to add value, create solutions, deliver excellence and exceed expectations.

We embrace and adapt rapidly to change, challenges, events and opportunities. We are very clear about what we stand for. We look to the future.

We embrace the principles, practices and processes of collaborative organisational structure that enhance communications and the exchange of ideas, and foster teamwork.

We inspire clients to trust us with their business and business-critical projects and decision-making.

We know what we are doing and how to innovate. We encourage different thinking and are open to the potential of new ideas, methods and technologies.

We are inspiring and distinctive, and our professional commitment earns the most interest and authority in our space, both on and off-line.