ERM acquires renewable consultancy RCG
Sustainability consultancy ERM has completed its sixth acquisition of 2021, with renewable energy advisory RCG bringing another 60 experts to ERM. Consulting M&A advised its client RCG throughout the deal.
Commenting on the news, ERM CEO Keryn James said, “Our purpose is to shape a sustainable future with the world’s leading organizations. Navigating the new opportunities presented by renewables and low-carbon technologies is central to this ambition. With the acquisition of RCG, we are in an even stronger position to help our clients unlock the enormous potential of the clean energy revolution.”
Founded in 2015, RCG (short for the Renewables Consulting Group) is a global market intelligence, management consulting, and technical advisory firm focused solely on the global renewable energy industry. The professional services firm is led by its executive team, consisting of CEO Sebastian Chivers, COO Dr Lee Clarke, Chief Strategy Officer Dan Pearson and three regional leads in London, New York and Tokyo.
The deal sees RCG’s 60 experts supplement ERM’s 5,500-strong headcount, spread across 160 offices in 40 countries, and further strengthens the firm’s ability to advise clients on the purchase and sale of renewable energy assets, and adds deep sector experience in offshore wind projects. Meanwhile, RCG’s leadership team joins the ERM partnership.
RCG COO Clarke remarked, “We already have a track record of successfully collaborating closely with ERM across global markets and have shared values and ways of working. Operating together as a single team unlocks competitive advantage for clients throughout the project lifecycle."
RCG joins ERM at a moment of major growth. Earlier in 2021, KKR, one of the globe’s largest private equity groups, acquired a majority stake in ERM from OMERS Private Equity and Alberta Investment Management Corporation. The investment has helped power ERM’s further expansion this year. Deals in 2021 so far include sustainability strategy firm E4Tech, ESG analyst Sustainalize, health and safety specialist First Option, engineering firm Engineering Safety Consultants, and energy advisory Arcus Consultancy Services.
RCG CEO Sebastian Chivers, added “From the outset, our vision for RCG has focused on building the most respected firm in renewable energy consulting, globally. Becoming part of the ERM Group will help us accelerate that vision and become a global leader for our clients in the energy transition. The backing of ERM will allow us to take the business to the next level.”
Deal advisors
While the size of ERM enabled it to use an in-house deal to manage the deal from its side, merger and acquisition advisory specialist Consulting M&A supported RCG throughout the process. The project was helmed by Bruce Ramsay, a Managing Partner at Consulting M&A.
According to Ramsay, the success of the RCG business was “all about employing the best consultants, with expertise in a growing sector, ensuring consistent delivery high-quality delivery and professional management of all operations.” He stated that it was a model “other consulting businesses would do well to follow.”
Meanwhile, reflecting on the support RCG received, Chivers added, “We are delighted that we appointed CM&A – the team is highly professional and fun as well. Sincere thanks for their guidance, tenacity and hard work.”
