ERM seals deal for sustainable energy consultancy E4tech

As it continues its global expansion campaign, consulting firm ERM has acquired energy and sustainability firm E4tech. The move comes shortly after a major investment deal saw KKR back the firm’s world-wide ambitions.

ERM CEO Keryn James commented, “We are rapidly expanding our capabilities to support clients at all stages of their decarbonisation journey... We are delighted to welcome E4tech to our growing team.”

With climate ambition accelerating in recent years in both the public and private sector, pressure is increasing from shareholders, investors, regulators and consumers for businesses and governments to set and deliver on ambitious targets aligned with science. The latest acquisition aims to strengthen ERM’s ability to support clients in carving out decarbonisation pathways and to seize the opportunities presented by low-carbon technologies.

ERM is a multinational consultancy headquartered in London. With more than 5,500 employees working from 160 offices in over 40 countries, the sustainability advisory firm supports clients with their green ambitions, with a focus on strategy and execution, health & safety, and implementing environmental, social and governance (ESG) best practices. Over the past decade, ERM has been expanding at pace, accelerated by a buy-and-build strategy that saw over 20 acquisitions join its ranks since 2010, including First Option at the start of 2021 and Sustainalizein April.

E4tech meanwhile helps businesses and governments identify transition opportunities through the next generation of technologies designed to decarbonise key sectors of the economy. Since 1997, it has supported clients in analysing, investing in and deploying cutting-edge low-carbon technologies, sometimes for the first time, and in developing and implementing related strategies and policies to sustain their impact. Becoming part of ERM also helps E4tech’s team, as the move will allow for its skills in low-carbon technology to be brought to bear on the challenges faced by ERM’s client base – including some of the world’s leading organisations.

Ausilio Bauen, Director, E4tech, stated, “Since our foundation, we have strived to combine a deep understanding of low-carbon technologies, policies and business imperatives to help our clients to grow.”

The news follows a long-term investment from KKR, one of the globe’s largest private equity groups (and a long-standing client of ERM’s consulting services). A deal sealed in May saw KKR acquire a majority stake in ERM from OMERS Private Equity and Alberta Investment Management Corporation, while ERM’s management team and partners remain as minority investors. In its statement regarding the E4tech deal, ERM said it believes KKR’s injection of funds will “further increase the company’s ability to drive differentiation and market leadership through strategic mergers and acquisitions.”