Welcome once again to another week full of deals, deals, and more deals. That’s correct! There are lots happening in the mergers and acquisitions front, and we’ve brought another round-up of the deals that happened in the week gone by. So, with further delays, let’s get straight into our weekly consulting M&A round-up.
#1. ERM boosts marine environment capabilities with MarineSpace deal
ERM, a global sustainability consulting firm, has bought MarineSpace for a price that has not been made public. With this move, ERM will hire about 50 more people, giving it the ability to help with more marine infrastructure projects around the world.
MarineSpace was founded in 2006 as a team of marine scientists and development consultants based in the United Kingdom. The firm offers expertise in disciplines such as site selection, geological surveying, marine development planning, data administration and interpretation, and maritime engineering when advising clients on their largest and most complicated marine development projects.
As part of its efforts to address the needs of the fast-developing renewables sector, ERM will be able to support additional marine infrastructure projects worldwide as a result of this acquisition.
#2. Sia Partners buys New York creative agency Addison
Sia Partners, a management and technology consulting firm headquartered in Paris, has extended its digital marketing division SiaXperience by the acquisition of Addison, a New York-based creative agency.
Addison, which was established in 1962, specializes in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) financial communications and serves companies such as Blackrock, Brookfield, and PepsiCo.
The acquisition of Addison will create a new service line at SiaXperience dedicated to ESG communications. The move also strengthens Sia’s wider ESG consulting offering, which accounts for nearly 20% of fees.
#3. Access Partnership receives Mayfair Equity Partners investment
Access Partnership has been acquired by Mayfair Equity Partners for an undisclosed sum. As the company pursues a global expansion strategy, erstwhile investor Mobeus Equity Partners completely withdraws.
Access Partnership, founded in 1999 by CEO Greg Francis, is a public policy consulting firm. The London-based company has offices in Washington, DC, Brussels, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Johannesburg, from which it provides consultancy services to many of the world’s leading technology firms.
It aids clients with data policy, infrastructure regulation, and compliance, putting it in an ideal position to capitalize on the need for advisory services from technology companies and regulators.
The acquisition will help Mayfair Equity Partners create a more sustainable technology market while improving consumer and business participation, trust, and excitement all at the same time.
#4. Siemens Advanta buys Spanish consultancy Innovation Strategies
Siemens Advanta has significantly expanded its capabilities in Southern Europe with the acquisition of Innovation Strategies, a Spanish digital transformation company.
Since its founding in 1997, Innovation Strategies has expanded to rank among Spain’s top digital transformation consultancies, having completed more than 1,500 projects across 20+ nations. The company specializes in data analytics, cloud computing, Industry 4.0, application design, and IT strategy. Among others, Innovation Strategies is a Microsoft, AWS, and Oracle certified partner.
The deal sees Siemens Advanta establish a foothold in the Iberian Peninsula. Moreover, the acquisition will help create value, which is crucial for accelerating the digital transformation agenda for the firm’s customers and partners.
#5. Dutch consultancy IG&H ropes in investor for international growth
In the past five years, IG&H has expanded from a small Dutch consulting firm to a global player with 350 people across three countries. Together with IK Partners, the company intends to grow its presence and explore new European markets.
The investment by the London-based private equity group represents a new chapter in IG&H’s history. Since its inception in 1988, the firm has been owned by a group of partners. The stockholders have sold a majority of the ownership in the company for an unknown sum, with the current management team reinvesting in the business.
With the additional financial strength, IG&H will aim to acquire growth-accelerating companies and invest in expanding existing services. IG&H will also spend in enhancing its status as a premier employer.
#6. KPMG acquires Montreal accountancy FMBT LLP
FMBT LLP, an accounting and consulting firm serving the Greater Montreal area, has been bought by KPMG Canada.
FMBT was established in 2002 and has offices in Terrebonne and Ste-Therese on Montreal’s North Shore. The firm provides small and medium-sized businesses with tax, accounting, financial planning, and management consulting services. Consulting services provided by FMBT include valuation, mergers and acquisitions, business launch, succession planning, strategy creation, and growth planning.
The deal will enable the Quebec branch of KPMG to expand both its service portfolio and its presence on Montréal’s North Shore. Additionally, the acquisition will complement the firm’s growth strategy while also reiterating its commitment to helping entrepreneurs and their communities wherever they are.
#7. Technology business management specialist It’s Value joins Improven
The consultancy firm It’s Value, which specializes in technology business management, has joined Improved. The agreement sees 15 specialists join the Dutch management consulting firm.
Since its inception in 2009, It’s Value has specialized in financial management for IT departments. The firm assists CIOs and senior IT leaders in gaining insight and control over their IT spending, a cost that has climbed substantially in recent years due to the growing significance of themes such as digitalization, cloud computing, and remote working.
The partnership with It’s Value will be a natural fit for Improven’s plan to fortify and improve its position in consulting services at the nexus of risk, IT, and finance, said the managing partner at Improven.
Closing Thoughts
And that’s a wrap! Let us know if we’ve missed out on any deals with regard to consulting M&A. Also, we hope to catch you next week when we’ll be back with another weekly round-up of consulting M&A news. In the meantime, we hope you have a lovely week!
