John Wood Group
A Scottish-founded multinational engineering and consulting business serving energy, industrial and materials-sector clients.
Last updated October 16, 2026
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Overview
John Wood Group, commonly known as Wood or Wood Group, is a British multinational engineering and consulting business headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland. Its work has historically centered on the energy sector, particularly oil and gas, but the group has also delivered services for chemicals, mining and minerals, power, renewables, infrastructure, nuclear and other industrial markets. Its activities include engineering design, project and programme management, asset management, operations support, maintenance, modification, decommissioning, environmental consulting and technical advisory services. The business developed from the Wood family's involvement in JW Holdings, a Scottish fishing and diversified-business group that entered energy services during the early development of the North Sea oil industry. Ian Wood established the present business in 1982 when it separated from JW Holdings. He served as chief executive until 2006 and chairman until 2012, helping shape Wood's expansion from a North Sea-focused services company into an international engineering group. During the company's earlier decades, Wood family charities and trusts held a substantial shareholding, at times giving the family significant influence over corporate decisions. A major stage in the group's internationalization came in 2000, when it acquired Texas-based Mustang Engineering. The transaction broadened Wood's engineering capability and added a substantial US presence; the acquired business subsequently operated as Wood Group Mustang. Wood became publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange in 2002. It later reshaped its portfolio through acquisitions and disposals, including the sale of its well-support division to General Electric in 2011 and the purchase of Enterprise Engineering in 2016. In 2017, Wood agreed to acquire rival Amec Foster Wheeler in an all-share transaction. Completion created a substantially larger engineering and consulting group, but Wood subsequently sold several non-core or strategically less important assets inherited through the deal. The company disposed of its nuclear business, including work connected with Sellafield, to Jacobs Engineering in 2020 and sold its built-environment consulting business to WSP in 2022. These transactions supported a strategy focused on energy, industrial engineering, operations and emerging lower-carbon markets while also helping address debt. Wood has continued to operate across the energy transition as well as conventional energy. Its portfolio includes services for upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas, offshore and onshore wind, hydrogen, carbon management, electrification, power and industrial decarbonization. The group has also undertaken technically complex government and infrastructure work. In 2022, it disclosed a large expected loss on a facility associated with the United States Army Corps of Engineers' Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. The company faced increasing strategic and financial pressure in the 2020s. Apollo Global Management abandoned takeover discussions in 2023 after several rejected approaches, while Wood rejected a 2024 offer from Dubai-based Sidara as undervaluing the business. The reference material records further governance and listing difficulties in 2025, including the resignation of chief financial officer Arvind Balan after qualifications were misstated and the suspension of the company's London listing after delayed financial reporting. It also records a later agreement for Sidara to acquire Wood, followed by completion in March 2026, although the company's post-transaction status should be verified against current corporate filings. Wood remains best understood as an engineering, consulting and asset-services brand rather than a producer of fuels or industrial equipment.
History
John Wood Group traces its origins to JW Holdings, a Scottish fishing and diversified-business group that entered energy services during the early North Sea oil era. In 1982, Ian Wood separated the business that became John Wood Group from JW Holdings. The new company initially benefited from North Sea oil and gas activity and developed capabilities supporting offshore production and related energy infrastructure. Ian Wood was central to the company's early development, serving as chief executive until 2006 and chairman until 2012. The Wood family retained substantial influence for much of the company's early and middle history through charities and trusts that held a significant proportion of available shares. This ownership structure gradually changed as the family reduced its position. Wood internationalized its operations through the 2000 acquisition of Mustang Engineering, a Texas-based oil-rig engineering business. The acquired operation, later known as Wood Group Mustang, strengthened Wood's engineering capabilities and added more than a thousand employees at the time of acquisition. In 2002, Wood listed on the London Stock Exchange, providing access to public capital and establishing the corporate platform used for later expansion. The company reshaped its portfolio during the 2010s. In 2011 it sold its well-support division to General Electric and also recorded a major reduction in the Wood family's shareholding. Wood expanded its environmental and infrastructure consulting work, including environmental consultancy associated with Heathrow Airport expansion proposals. In 2016 it bought Aberdeen-based Enterprise Engineering, reinforcing its position in the North Sea engineering market. A defining transaction occurred in 2017, when Wood agreed to acquire Amec Foster Wheeler in an all-share deal. The transaction was completed on 9 October 2017 after competition approval. The enlarged group inherited a broad collection of engineering, energy, infrastructure and nuclear activities. Wood subsequently divested selected businesses, including North Sea oil and gas interests and a North American nuclear operation acquired through the transaction. During the 2010s, Wood also participated in the design and construction of civil nuclear facilities in the United Kingdom. In 2020, it sold its nuclear division, including Sellafield decommissioning work, to Jacobs Engineering. The sale reflected a strategic effort to reduce debt and concentrate resources on energy, industrial services and growth areas such as renewables. In 2022, Wood sold its built-environment consulting business to WSP, further narrowing the portfolio. The group continued to undertake complex energy and government projects, but project execution risk became visible when it disclosed an expected loss of approximately US$222 million on an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System facility for the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 2022. The company also faced takeover interest. Apollo Global Management withdrew from discussions in 2023 after multiple rejected approaches, and Wood rejected a 2024 offer from Sidara on valuation grounds. The reference material records a difficult corporate period in 2025. CFO Arvind Balan resigned after professional qualifications were misstated, and Wood's shares were suspended from London trading after delayed financial statements. It further records that Sidara agreed to acquire Wood in late 2025 and completed the transaction in March 2026. Because the reference material contains future-dated events and does not provide the complete post-acquisition corporate record, the company's current ownership, listing and operating status require verification.
- 2026
Sidara acquisition reportedly completed
[1]The supplied reference states that Sidara completed its acquisition of Wood in March 2026.
- 2022
Built-environment business sold to WSP
[1]The company sold its built-environment consulting business to WSP.
- 2020
Nuclear division sold to Jacobs
[1]Wood divested its nuclear division, including Sellafield-related decommissioning work, to Jacobs Engineering.
- 2017
Amec Foster Wheeler acquisition completed
[1]The all-share acquisition was completed on 9 October after competition approval.
- 2016
Enterprise Engineering acquired
[1]Wood expanded its Aberdeen and North Sea engineering activities by acquiring Enterprise Engineering.
- 2011
Well-support division sold
[1]The group sold its well-support division to General Electric and reduced the Wood family's shareholding.
- 2002
London Stock Exchange listing
[1]John Wood Group became listed on the London Stock Exchange.
- 2000
Mustang Engineering acquisition
[1]Wood acquired Texas-based Mustang Engineering, creating a larger international oil-rig engineering platform.
- 1982
Business separates from JW Holdings
[1]Ian Wood founded the business that became John Wood Group after it separated from JW Holdings.
Products and positioning
An international engineering, consulting and asset-services partner for energy, industrial and materials-sector clients, combining project delivery with long-term operations and asset-management expertise.
Engineering and consulting services
Energy engineering and project delivery
Wood designs and supports the delivery of energy facilities and related infrastructure. Services can cover concept development, front-end engineering, detailed design, procurement support, construction management, commissioning and programme controls. The historical customer base has included upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas operators, while the company has also applied its engineering capabilities to power, renewables and lower-carbon projects.
Industrial services
Operations, maintenance and asset management
The group provides technical operations support, maintenance, asset integrity, reliability and life-extension services. These activities are intended to help owners operate complex energy and industrial assets safely and efficiently over their working lives. Wood's role may extend from specialist engineering advice to embedded operational support and modification programmes.
Sustainability and energy consulting
Energy transition and decarbonization consulting
Wood applies engineering and advisory expertise to renewables, hydrogen, carbon management, electrification, emissions reduction and industrial decarbonization. The offering positions the company between traditional energy-services work and emerging lower-carbon infrastructure, helping clients assess technologies, plan projects and modify existing assets.
Consulting services
Environmental and infrastructure consultancy
Beyond core energy work, Wood has undertaken environmental assessments and advisory assignments for infrastructure and transport proposals. Its historical work included environmental consultancy connected with proposed Heathrow Airport expansion, as well as involvement in other transport-infrastructure schemes.
Controversies
2026
Wood Group offshore workers launch 48-hour strike over pay and conditions
Offshore production, instrument and mechanical technicians on a number of North Sea platforms began a 48-hour strike at midnight on 6 October 2026 in a dispute with Wood Group over pay and conditions, with further walkouts planned on 20-21 October and 3-4 November and an RMT overtime ban instructed from 8 October. The Unite and RMT unions said they are in dispute with Wood Group over its decision to cut the pay and conditions of dozens of offshore workers, including through the threat of issuing fire-and-rehire notices. The strikes affect installations run by Harbour Energy, including the Britannia, Jasmine, Judy, Lomond and North Everest platforms. Wood Group said it had been notified of the action and that personnel and operational safety remain its top priority.
2025
CFO qualification misstatement
Chief financial officer Arvind Balan resigned after professional qualifications were reported to have been misstated.
2025
Suspension of London listing
Wood's shares were suspended from London Stock Exchange trading after the company failed to file financial statements on time.
2021
John Wood Group reaches civil settlement with Scottish authorities
John Wood Group said its subsidiary WGPSN Holdings reached a civil settlement with Scotland's Civil Recovery Unit concerning the historical engagement of Unaoil by a legacy joint venture and potential unlawful conduct. Wood agreed to pay £6.46 million to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Brand decisions
2024
Reject Sidara takeover offerM&ABackground
Sidara sought to acquire Wood after earlier takeover interest from Apollo had ended.
Action taken
Wood rejected a reported offer on the grounds that it fundamentally undervalued the company.
Aftermath
The reference material later records a Sidara acquisition agreement and completion in March 2026; the final ownership position requires current-source verification.
2022
Sell built-environment consulting businessStrategyBackground
Wood continued to concentrate on energy and industrial services rather than maintaining a broad built-environment portfolio.
Action taken
The company agreed to sell its built-environment consulting business to WSP.
Aftermath
The disposal further narrowed Wood's business mix and supported portfolio simplification.
Reported transaction value. Approximately US$1.9 billion (2022 transaction)
2020
Exit nuclear operationsStrategyBackground
Wood reviewed its portfolio while seeking to reduce debt and focus on energy, industrial and growth markets.
Action taken
It sold the nuclear division, including Sellafield-related decommissioning activities, to Jacobs Engineering.
Aftermath
The divestment reduced the group's exposure to nuclear services and supported a stated focus on renewables and other growth areas.
Reported transaction value. £250 million (2020 transaction)
2017
Acquire Amec Foster WheelerM&ABackground
Wood sought greater scale and a broader engineering and consulting portfolio through a combination with its rival.
Action taken
It announced an all-share acquisition, which completed on 9 October 2017 after competition approval.
Aftermath
Wood later sold selected Amec Foster Wheeler assets, including certain oil-and-gas and nuclear operations, to simplify the enlarged group.
Recent events
Wood Group offshore workers launch 48-hour strike over pay and conditions[3]
Reported:
Offshore production, instrument and mechanical technicians on a number of North Sea platforms began a 48-hour strike at midnight on 6 October 2026 in a dispute with Wood Group over pay and conditions, with further walkouts planned on 20-21 October and 3-4 November and an RMT overtime ban instructed from 8 October. The Unite and RMT unions said they are in dispute with Wood Group over its decision to cut the pay and conditions of dozens of offshore workers, including through the threat of issuing fire-and-rehire notices. The strikes affect installations run by Harbour Energy, including the Britannia, Jasmine, Judy, Lomond and North Everest platforms. Wood Group said it had been notified of the action and that personnel and operational safety remain its top priority.
Wood Group secures £430 million government-backed loan[5]
Reported:
John Wood Group said it secured a US$600 million five-year loan backed by the UK government’s export credit agency to invest in low-carbon growth opportunities. The facility was 80% guaranteed by UK Export Finance.
Wood renews Hibernia platform services contract[6]
Reported:
Wood reported that it won a five-year renewal to provide engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance services for the Hibernia platform offshore Newfoundland and Labrador.
John Wood Group reaches civil settlement with Scottish authorities[4]
Reported:
John Wood Group said its subsidiary WGPSN Holdings reached a civil settlement with Scotland's Civil Recovery Unit concerning the historical engagement of Unaoil by a legacy joint venture and potential unlawful conduct. Wood agreed to pay £6.46 million to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
- Unconfirmed
Wood and Spirit Energy agree to deliver Morecambe Bay late-life solutions[7]
Wood entered into a five-year, $130 million services contract with Spirit Energy to partner on late-life solutions for the Morecambe Bay gas fields.
Wood and SGN partner on Scottish decarbonization roadmap[8]
Wood and SGN are working together on a project to evaluate and deliver decarbonization solutions for northeastern and eastern Scotland. The study will develop a roadmap assessing gas-network repurposing, hydrogen, and carbon capture and storage.
Wood announces workforce reductions and furloughs[9]
Reported:
Wood said it would reduce headcount and furlough workers, while offering unpaid leave in certain operations, as it sought to mitigate the downturn in oil prices and the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Wood announces sale of its industrial services business to Kaefer[10]
Reported:
John Wood Group announced the sale of its industrial services business to Kaefer for up to $118 million (£91 million). The deal includes an initial £80 million payment and a further payment of up to £11 million subject to agreed financial goals.
Wood appoints Stephanie Cox as Americas CEO[11]
Wood announced Stephanie Cox's appointment as CEO of its Americas business, succeeding Andrew Stewart. The appointment was effective immediately.
Wood appoints Andrew Stewart executive president of strategy and development[11]
Wood announced that Andrew Stewart was moving into the role of executive president of strategy and development for its global business. The role was effective immediately.
Sources12 sources
- 1John Wood Groupen.wikipedia.org
- 2Wood plc official websitewoodplc.com
- 3Wood Group offshore workers launch 48-hour strike over pay and conditionsbbc.co.uk
- 4John Wood Group reaches civil settlement with Scottish authoritiesfinanznachrichten.de
- 5Wood Group 获得 4.3 亿英镑政府支持贷款themarketreporter.co.uk
- 6Wood续签Hibernia平台服务合同rigzone.com
- 7Wood与Spirit Energy合作推进莫克姆湾气田后期解决方案oilandgasonline.com
- 8Wood与SGN合作制定苏格兰脱碳路线图worldoil.com
- 9Wood 宣布裁员并安排员工休假scotsman.com
- 10Wood 宣布将工业服务业务出售给 Kaeferbbc.co.uk
- 11Wood任命Stephanie Cox为美洲业务首席执行官worldoil.com
- 12Wood Partners With SGN To Create Decarbonisation Roadmap In Scotlandoilandgasonline.com
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