{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-21/cpl-acquires-bailey-edward","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-21/cpl-acquires-bailey-edward.md","title":"CPL Acquires Bailey Edward, Adding 50 Midwest Staff","headline":"CPL Acquires Bailey Edward to Expand Chicago and Midwest Design Practice","description":"CPL has acquired Illinois-based Bailey Edward, adding 50 professionals and deepening its Chicago and Midwest architecture, engineering and planning work.","section":"Mergers & Acquisitions","published_at":"2026-10-21T14:54:37+00:00","modified_at":"2026-10-21T14:54:37+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["CPL acquired Bailey Edward, an Illinois architecture, engineering, interior design and planning firm, for undisclosed terms.","Bailey Edward's 50 professionals join CPL, which reports more than 500 people across 25 offices in eight states.","Clients of both firms will keep the same project teams and points of contact through the transition."],"companies":[{"name":"CPL","is_primary":true,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0007clz/cpl","website":"https://cplteam.com/locations"},{"name":"Bailey Edward","is_primary":false,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/002krce/bailey-edward","website":"https://www.baileyedward.com"}],"source":{"publisher":"PR Newswire","title":"CPL Expands Chicago, Midwest Footprint Through Acquisition of Bailey Edward","url":"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cpl-expands-chicago-midwest-footprint-through-acquisition-of-bailey-edward-302915059.html"},"other_sources":[],"tags":["Mergers & Acquisitions","CPL","Bailey Edward"],"body_markdown":"[CPL](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0007clz/cpl) has acquired [Bailey Edward](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/002krce/bailey-edward), an Illinois-based architecture, engineering, interior design and planning firm, adding 50 professionals to its team and expanding its Chicago and Midwest presence. [PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cpl-expands-chicago-midwest-footprint-through-acquisition-of-bailey-edward-302915059.html) published the announcement on October 21, 2026. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.\n\n## CPL Adds Bailey Edward's Illinois Practice\n\nCPL is a full-service design firm serving public and private sector clients across the U.S., according to company records. Bailey Edward is a multi-disciplinary architecture, engineering, interior design and planning firm serving public and private clients across 24 states, with offices in Chicago, Champaign and Fox River Grove, according to its profile.\n\nThe acquisition strengthens CPL's presence in Chicago and across the Midwest while expanding capabilities in education, government, healthcare, research, community and cultural practices. Bailey Edward's 50 professionals add depth to CPL's multidisciplinary team, and the combined firm will be equipped to take on a wider range of project needs.\n\n\"Bailey Edward has built an exceptional reputation throughout Illinois, backed by an impressive portfolio of work,\" said Chris Colby, President and Chief Operating Officer of CPL. \"We're excited to pair that foundation with CPL's broader resources and create new opportunities for both organizations.\"\n\nEllen Bailey Dickson, President and CEO of Bailey Edward, said the partnership positions the firm to pursue larger, more complex work. Robin Edward Whitehurst, Managing Principal of Bailey Edward, said bringing the teams together gives the firm more expertise around the table. Clients of both firms will continue working with the same project teams and trusted points of contact throughout the transition.\n\n## CPL's Scale Before the Deal\n\nCPL was acquired in February 2026 by middle-market private equity firm GHK Capital Partners LP, with terms undisclosed, according to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data). The stated goal was to grow four times the current size through geographic expansion, technology investment and an active M&A program.\n\nThe same records list CPL at more than 500 professionals across 25 offices in eight states, and healthcare practice revenue of $25.4 million in 2025. CPL was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Fairport, New York.\n\n## Leadership Changes Before the Acquisition\n\nCPL announced on August 21, 2026, that CEO Todd Liebert is transitioning to a Senior Advisor role effective August 1, with President Chris Colby assuming day-to-day leadership while the board conducts a search for a permanent replacement, PR Newswire reported. Rbj reported the same month that Liebert stepped down as CEO to become a senior advisor ahead of his planned retirement in 2027.\n\nCPL added Sean Williams as Vice President and Regional Healthcare Leader in its Tampa office in October 2026, supporting healthcare organizations across Florida and the Southeast, PR Newswire reported. In August 2026, Third News reported that CPL appointed H. Michael Smith as its Regional Science & Technology Practice Leader in Atlanta, focusing on research, life sciences and advanced manufacturing.\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}