Acquisition-hungry RSK Group aims to nearly quadruple its turnover to more than £5bn over the next seven years.

The ambitious growth target would see its corporate family of engineering and environmental services businesses double from 200 and 400.

To fund this next stage of growth, Cheshire-based RSK is looking to raise at least £500m from sales of shares in the business.

This would supplement around £500m from its debt finance provider Ares Management building a £1bn takeover war chest to fund an acquisition spree.

RSK founder and CEO Alan Ryder said: “The company is not just looking for financial investors, but also partners that have a tangible interest in the sustainability agenda and can work alongside existing shareholders in guiding RSK towards its 2030 vision.”

Relevant investors may include the likes of pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, private equity investors and alternative capital providers.

Ryder said: “We are well aware that our growth strategy includes some very big numbers and significant goals for business growth.

“However, this is anchored in our experience of more than three decades spent delivering environmental and engineering services to help clients around the world minimise their impact on the planet.

“We have witnessed the global realisation that urgent action is required if we are to achieve a sustainable future.

“As governments and businesses across all sectors invest heavily in achieving a more sustainable future, the opportunities for RSK increase at pace.

“This leaves RSK with little doubt that it 2030 growth strategy is achievable.”

In an ambitious 2030 strategy, RSK expects to steadily raising headcount from 12,000 staff in 40 countries today to 40,000.

The group will focus on significant international expansion in all regions it currently operates including Australia, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

RSK Group chief financial officer Abigail Draper said: “Over the past 30 years we have created an enviable diversity of UK businesses operating in most sectors of the economy, including many of those most critical to future global sustainability, such as water, energy, food and drink, infrastructure, urban development, mining and waste.

“Our future growth strategy reflects our intention to now replicate that strength and diversity across the world.”