RSM doubles its Oracle NetSuite footprint with First Hosted acquisition

Professional services firm RSM has acquired UK-based First Hosted in a deal that will reportedly make it one of the largest providers of NetSuite cloud products across Europe. The transaction, the value of which has not been disclosed, adds more than fifty people to RSM’s NetSuite practice.

RSM will merge First Hosted into its NetSuite practice, forming an arm with just under 100 specialists. The new combined operation is dedicated to NeStuite, a cloud business ERP software suite that provides solutions for areas such as business accounting, finance, CRM and e-commerce. Globally, more than 40,000 companies and subsidiaries use NetSuite to facilitate their internal operations. 

First Hosted will, however, continue to trade under its old name, holding on to the reputation and track record it has built since being founded ten years ago. Established in 2007 in Crewe, First Hosted offers a range of services geared at Oracle NetSuite implementation and support, and the firm has successfully completed more than 150 implementations, including NetSuite SaaS ERP and the newer global OneWorld solution. At deal closing, First Hosted employed 54 professionals, with all of them transitioning, almost doubling RSM’s team to close to 100 specialists.

RSM has in recent years scooped several awards for its NetSuite services, including the ‘2017 Worldwide Solution Provider of the Year’ by NetSuite itself, continuing a run of five wins in a row. Among its clients are corporates as well as mid-market players – RSM UK is for instance currently helping global recruitment agency PageGroup with a complete redesign of its finance operating model, which includes the roll-out of NetSuite OneWorld. 

For RSM, the deal will boost both the breadth and depth of its skills and capabilities in the CRM and e-commerce spaces – as well as its footprint in the growing NetSuite consulting market. “Our enhanced market proposition significantly strengthens our own ability to engage with a more diverse client base both large and small, in more locations, and in a greater variety of sectors. For us this isn’t simply a case of capturing greater market share – diversifying our own NetSuite delivery capability is critical in remaining one step ahead of the curve in what is a highly competitive market,” said Chris Knowles, lead partner for technology and management consulting at RSM in the UK. 

The move makes RSM, according to David Gwilliam, the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, the “UK and Europe’s largest and leading NetSuite provider.” He added, “The acquisition significantly strengthens our capability to provide clients with a broader spectrum of business systems services and solutions. The prospects for this expanded offering are very exciting.”

For First Hosted, the joining of forces will enable the firm to find additional growth through RSM’s global network. Andrew Peddie, the firm’s Managing Director said, “This move to integrate with RSM marks a game-changer in our market. For us as a company it presents the next natural step in our growth cycle."

He added, "This is also about people. The NetSuite technology can’t be effectively deployed without the right people in place to provide the necessary skills. RSM is a great cultural fit."

Last year, aviation group Transavia, a low-cost subsidiary of Air France/KLM, hired French consulting firm Capgemini to support its NetSuite OneWorld implementation.