RPS was founded in 1970, as Rural Planning Services,[3] with founder Michael Boddington as its first chief executive.

[3] In the late 20th century, the company expanded under the leadership of a later chief executive, Alan Hearne, and in 2001 he received the Financial Times / London Stock Exchange Entrepreneur of the Year award and company was nominated in the top four for PLC of the Year in the same awards.

[6] In August 2022, WSP Global made a takeover offer to purchase RPS Group for £591 million.

[7][8][9] In September 2022, RPS received a counter takeover offer from Tetra Tech for £636 million[10] with WSP opting not to increase its bid.

[11] RPS' shareholders voted to accept the Tetra Tech offer in November 2022[12] and it was approved by the court in January 2023.