 The venture was not Atkin's only business endeavour, having acquired "London Ferro-Concrete" from his prior employers; he continued to actively manage both firms up until 1950.In its formative years, the firm established its first offices in Westminster, London and specialised in civil and structural engineering design and consultancy work.Throughout the Second World War, the company developed a reputation for competently performing complex engineering works assigned to it despite the unavoidable wartime pressures and limitations that were imposed.