PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has acquired the Australian infrastructure advisory firm Appian Group, bolstering the firm's focus on health and social infrastructure.

Three new partners; Steve Cary, Richard Mickle and Nadia Van Dommelen, as well as 40 staff, will join PwC's Capital Projects and Infrastructure team within PwC's Deals business.

Appian was formed in 2002. The firm has worked on a diverse set of projects including NSW Health, Fiona Stanley Hospital Project, Supreme Court Redevelopment, Elizabeth Quay and Midland Health Campus.

They achieved double digit growth over the last two years. Appian Group was advised by Tomkins Turner Corporate Advisory.

PwC Managing Partner, Deals Sean Gregory, stated:

"With increasing demand for social infrastructure and urban renewal in Australia, growing our advisory capability is a priority and we are delighted we can now leverage Appian Group's exceptional credentials and strengths in the sector."

"We are responding to government and private sector demand for social infrastructure created by the megatrends of changing demographics and increasing urbanisation. Government focus points such as health, as well as transport and logistics, have complex financing and delivery structures which require significant experience to implement.

"With the Appian acquisition we will be able to meet demand in the market for ensuring these large scale projects meet their business case through project management and smarter processes from plenary to construction. We now have a large team stretching across Australia, supporting public and private sector clients from concept through to execution of large scale project investment."

Appian Group's Managing Director Richard Mickle added:

"Joining PwC is a natural progression to reinforce and expand the breadth of services that we offer existing and future clients."