What Science Group does

Science Group plc is an international services and systems company headquartered in Cambridge, UK, that delivers innovation through the application of science, technology and engineering. The Group operates through two divisions: a Services Division providing science, technology and engineering services to clients in medical, defence, industrial, and consumer sectors, and a Systems Division that holds leading market positions in related technology sectors. The Group delivers its services through four wholly-owned operating subsidiaries — Sagentia (science, technology and engineering consultancy), Leatherhead Food Research (food research and testing), Frontier Smart Technologies (smart technologies and audio solutions), and Critical Maritime Systems & Support, known as CMS2 (maritime systems and support).

The Group serves a global client base spanning over 100 countries, with employees based in the UK, EU, North America, and China (Shenzhen and Hong Kong). Operations are supported by two UK freehold properties — the registered headquarters at Harston Mill, Harston, Cambridge and a second office in Great Burgh, Surrey — providing infrastructure that underpins a strong balance sheet and a highly cash-generative operating model, with capital from operating cash flow redeployed into corporate opportunities aimed at producing attractive shareholder returns.

The business model is sales-led and relies on direct B2B enterprise engagements to capture client work rather than channel partners or self-service funnels. Revenue is generated primarily through professional services engagements delivered across the four named verticals. The Group is led by Martyn Ratcliffe in the role of Executive Chair.

Name

Science Group

Legal name

Science Group plc

Website

https://sciencegroup.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Science Group plc is an international services and systems company operating a Services Division and a Systems Division through four wholly-owned subsidiaries (Sagentia, Leatherhead Food Research, Frontier Smart Technologies, CMS2), serving medical, defence, industrial and consumer clients across 100+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Science and Technology Services: The services division provides science, technology and engineering services to clients in medical, defence, industrial, and consumer sectors. The systems division holds leading market positions in related technology sectors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Science Group plc is an international services and systems company delivering innovation through the application of science, technology and engineering. It operates a Services Division providing science, technology and engineering services to clients in medical, defence, industrial and consumer sectors, and a Systems Division holding leading market positions in related technology sectors. The Group serves a global client base in over 100 countries through subsidiaries including Sagentia, Leatherhead Food Research, Frontier Smart Technologies and Critical Maritime Systems & Support (CMS2).

Product overview

Science Group plc is an international services and systems company organized into two main divisions: a Services Division providing science, technology and engineering services, and a Systems Division offering technology solutions with leading market positions. The company operates through several subsidiaries including Sagentia, Leatherhead Food Research, Frontier Smart Technologies, and Critical Maritime Systems & Support (CMS2).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Science, Technology and Engineering Services
• Technology Systems
• Sagentia Science and Technology Consultancy
• Leatherhead Food Research
• Frontier Smart Technologies
• Critical Maritime Systems & Support (CMS2)

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Critical Maritime Systems & SupportcoreOthersA subsidiary company of Science Group operating in the maritime systems and support sector.
• Frontier Smart TechnologiescoreOthersA subsidiary company of Science Group operating in smart technologies.
• Leatherhead Food ResearchcoreOthersA subsidiary company of Science Group operating in food research.
• SagentiacoreOthersA subsidiary company of Science Group providing science and technology consultancy services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Halma plc: UK-listed group of safety, environmental and medical technology businesses operating through a federation of niche subsidiaries. Closely mirrors Science Group's holding-company model with a services/systems mix and a track record of cash-funded bolt-on M&A.
• Oxford Instruments plc: UK-listed provider of high-technology tools, systems and services for industrial and academic research applications. Comparable to the Systems division in holding leading positions in scientific/analytical instrumentation.
• Intertek Group plc: Global testing, inspection and certification company serving consumer, industrial and commodity end-markets. Comparable to Leatherhead Food Research and broader applied science/quality services within the Science Group portfolio.
• Bureau Veritas: International testing, inspection and certification group operating across marine, industrial, consumer and government segments. Comparable to the CMS2 maritime subsidiary and broader systems/services business mix.

Direct peers

• Ricardo plc: UK-listed strategic engineering and environmental consultancy serving automotive, defence, energy and industrial clients globally. Directly comparable to Science Group in offering applied science/engineering services across multiple verticals, and was the subject of a referenced shareholder letter on Science Group's own site.
• Cambridge Consultants: Product and technology innovation consultancy applying deep science and engineering to develop breakthrough products for global clients. Closely comparable to Sagentia (Science Group subsidiary) and the broader services division.
• PA Consulting: Global innovation and transformation consultancy combining technology, design and consulting to solve complex client problems. Comparable in offering applied science and engineering consulting across defence, medical and industrial end-markets.
• Exponent, Inc. US-listed engineering and scientific consulting firm offering failure analysis, risk consulting and applied science across medical, industrial and consumer sectors. Comparable to Science Group's services division in scientific consulting across multiple verticals.
• Frazer-Nash Consultancy: UK-headquartered systems and engineering technology consultancy serving defence, energy and industrial clients. Comparable as a mid-sized applied science/engineering services peer focused on defence and regulated industries.

Emerging players

• Wood Group (John Wood Group): Global consulting and engineering company focused on energy and industrial markets. Partial overlap with Science Group's defence/industrial service work, particularly around engineering and systems integration.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sciencegroupplc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A4 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Science Group