Friday 29 January 2021
Gemserv acquires Ecuity to create combined group geared up to tackle climate change
Professional services firm Gemserv has acquired Ecuity Advisory Ltd as part of its drive to expand services for clients seeking to accelerate the transition to net zero.
To find out more about the move, future Net Zero Editor Jonny Bairstow spoke to Alex Goody, CEO of Gemserv, and James Higgins, Partner and co-Founder of Ecuity, who explained what they hoped to achieve from the deal.
They noted Ecuity’s extensive expertise in energy, mobility and environmental policy complements Gemserv’s established role as a manager of high-profile projects in the energy and other sectors, and said the deal will create a combined group with some 220 staff and annual revenues of around £30 million.
Birmingham-based Ecuity, which was acquired for an undisclosed sum, has clients across the public and private sectors, including companies serving the energy industry, government departments, and trade associations.
It is highly active in rapidly evolving areas such as hydrogen and decentralised energy, and the two businesses already work together on the government-funded Heat Networks Investment Project.
Alex Goody said: “Climate change is an existential threat to our way of life. Organisations must adapt, bringing forward progressive policy and new business models, and acquiring Ecuity reinforces Gemserv’s position as a leader in supporting clients with the transition to net zero.
"We have been looking for the right match to meet our growth ambitions and to support our purpose of tackling social and environmental challenges. Ecuity is a great fit in terms of services, clients and the impact we want to have in transforming markets in the face of dangerous climate change."
He added that the skills and capabilities that are being brought by the deal will provide significant help to the government in delivering the goals of its 10-point plan, getting the UK ready to host COP26 in November and delivering net zero in a way that works for consumers, industry and the wider economy.
James Higgins, Ilias Vazaios and Dave Sowden, Partners in Ecuity, who all take up senior positions in the combined business, announced: “Becoming part of Gemserv offers an incredible opportunity to see evidence-based insight delivered through new transformational programmes and interventions.
"Over the last 10 years, we have helped clients across many sectors grow their businesses and position themselves better for policy and regulatory change. That has given us valuable insight which we can now deploy at scale by joining forces with Gemserv.
"Becoming part of a larger organisation will also offer greater career development opportunities for our talented and committed team”.
