D2E buys Abbacas and Access Advisors to extend into Midlands and public sector

D2E International VT Consultants Ltd has acquired Nottingham lift and escalator consultancy Abbacas Consulting Ltd and London façade access specialist Access Advisors (UK) Limited, the London-based firm announced on 13 October.

D2E said the two deals extend its reach into the Midlands, take it into public sector work for the first time, and more than double the size of its façade access team.

The acquisitions follow D2E joining the VDA family of companies in 2025. VDA, Inc., a US lift and escalator consulting and inspection firm, said at the time that D2E had a 40-person team headquartered in London, with offices in London and Manchester.

Mark Fairweather, Managing Director of D2E, said: "Our ambition is clear: we want to lead the UK market across every facet of vertical transportation and façade access."

Abbacas

According to D2E, Abbacas was founded in 1995 and specialises in lift and escalator asset management and project work, mainly for the public sector. It supports local authorities across the East Midlands, including councils in Derby and Nottingham.

D2E said the deal gives it a substantially larger presence in the Midlands and marks its entry into public sector work.

Martin and Carol Brooksby join D2E and will continue to look after Abbacas clients day to day, the firm said. Founders Barry and Brenda Vanderhoven remain with the business for a handover.

Barry Vanderhoven, co-owner of Abbacas, said: "After 31 years building Abbacas, Brenda and I wanted to be certain that our clients and our team would be in safe hands."

Companies House records show that the company registered as Abbacas Consulting Limited, number 05956850, was incorporated on 5 October 2006 and is registered at 95 Ashby Road, Loughborough. The register records that it was renamed Lindos Consulting Ltd on 9 October 2026, four days before the announcement. D2E's release describes Abbacas as Nottingham-based and founded in 1995.

Access Advisors

D2E said Access Advisors advises building owners, developers and design teams on how buildings are cleaned, maintained and reglazed, from building maintenance units (BMUs) through to complete access strategies. The release describes the firm as based in London and working across the UK and internationally.

Co-owners Paul Coleman and Colin Frederick are staying with the business alongside their team, D2E said. In a joint statement, the pair said that as part of D2E their clients gain lift, escalator and façade access expertise under one roof, backed by the resources of a larger organisation.

Fairweather said the addition of Access Advisors puts D2E's façade access practice on an equal footing with its lift and escalator work.

On its own website, Access Advisors describes itself as a Hong Kong and London based façade access consultancy with more than 125 years of collective industry experience, offering façade access strategies for new projects and value audits for existing ones. It gives a London office at 70 Gracechurch Street, EC3V.

Companies House shows Access Advisors (UK) Limited, company number 08563567, was incorporated on 10 June 2013. Its registered office is now Ground Floor, The Nest, 18-22 Disney Place, London SE1 1HJ, the same address as D2E International VT Consultants Ltd, company number 08797550.

Background

D2E says on its website that it has been a UK-based vertical transportation consultancy since 2003, covering the full lifecycle of lifts, escalators and façade access systems from design and construction through to asset management. Its work spans commercial, residential, mixed-use, healthcare, infrastructure and regeneration projects, and it also operates an office in Mumbai.

When VDA acquired D2E in 2025, VDA said D2E would retain its name and leadership structure, with founder Bill Evans remaining involved as a strategic consultant. Gavin Campbell, CEO of VDA, described that deal as a milestone in VDA's long-term strategy.

VDA described itself in its June 2025 release as having about 500 professionals across offices in the United States. D2E's October 2026 release puts VDA at over 650 professionals, with offices across the United States and the United Kingdom, and says it has offered vertical transportation services since 1980.

D2E said the acquisitions reflect a continued commitment to investing in the UK market following its move into the VDA group.