Strategic Expansion into UK Buildings & Infrastructure Market
Clarke Banks and Xact Consultancy and Training, leading UK experts in building safety, fire engineering, and compliance training, become part of the CERTANIA Group.
Munich/London/Evesham, 9 Oct 2025 – CERTANIA, a dynamic group specializing in Testing, Inspection & Certification (TIC) as well as scientific, laboratory, and compliance services, announces that the two companies Clarke Banks and Xact Consultancy and Training Ltd. have joined the Group. With the two UK based companies joining the Group, CERTANIA begins its strategic expansion into the UK Buildings & Infrastructure segment. Clarke Banks and Xact provide a robust foundation for further growth in the UK, anchoring CERTANIA’s expansion strategy in this important sector.
Founded in 2013, Clarke Banks has grown into one of the UK’s most recognized consultancies for building regulations and fire engineering. The company partners with developers, architects, and contractors to deliver safe and compliant buildings. Its strong reputation is built on technical depth, creative problem-solving, and long-term collaboration with a diverse client base that includes well-known international brands.
Established in 2004 in Evesham, Xact has become a trusted provider of fire safety qualifications, apprenticeships and training. Providing nationally recognised qualification and apprenticeship programmes, designed to maximise workforce potential by enhancing competency, knowledge and skills. Xact supports Fire Services, Public Bodies and Private fire safety firms across the UK. It’s enduring relationships and consistent quality have made it a go-to partner for fire safety training and development.
By joining CERTANIA, Clarke Banks and Xact will benefit from the Group’s international reach to accelerate their growth, expand their service offerings, and strengthen their position in their home market. The collaboration opens new opportunities for innovation and cross-border synergies, while preserving each company’s entrepreneurial spirit and client-focused culture.
“With Clarke Banks and Xact, CERTANIA gains both heritage and innovation — uniting technical regulatory and fire engineering expertise with compliance training and assurance. Together, they anchor our UK expansion strategy in Buildings & Infrastructure,” says Karsten Xander, CEO and Founder of CERTANIA.
Sam Wright, Co-Founder of Clarke Banks, comments: “Joining Certania marks an exciting next chapter for Clarke Banks. It allows us to remain true to what has always set us apart – technical independence, strong governance, and a commitment to quality – while gaining the scale and shared expertise of a wider group of like-minded specialist firms. Together, we can accelerate innovation, strengthen our delivery capability, and continue raising standards across the compliance landscape for our clients and the industry as a whole.”
Kelly Nock, Service Delivery Director at Xact, emphasizes: “Joining CERTANIA enables us to combine our training delivery and fire safety expertise with wider group resources. This step ensures we continue to deliver trusted services to our clients while contributing to CERTANIA’s expansion in the UK Buildings & Infrastructure segment.”
This integration underlines the Group’s commitment to diversifying its UK presence and building a resilient Buildings & Infrastructure division.
About CERTANIA
Headquartered in Munich, CERTANIA is an international Testing, Inspection & Certification company with centuries of experience. Their experts have shaped industry standards and pioneered methods from life sciences, food and consumer goods testing to industrials, buildings and infrastructure. More information: www.certania.com.
About Clarke Banks
Founded in 2013, Clarke Banks is a UK-based consultancy specializing in fire engineering and building regulations. Its diversified client base includes commercial developers, architects, contractors, and well-known international brands such as Inditex, Audi, and Bentley. More information: www.clarkebanks.com.
About Xact Consultancy and Training Ltd.
Established in 2004, Xact Consultancy and Training Ltd. is a UK leader in delivering nationally recognised fire safety and fire engineering qualifications, fire safety apprenticeships and specialist training. The company supports fire services, public bodies and private firms to optimise their workforce’s competency, knowledge and skills. More information: www.xact.org.uk.
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