Digital expert Etain to be acquired by Deloitte
Big Four consultancy Deloitte has announced a deal to acquire data and digital transformation specialist Etain. The move will create Northern Ireland’s largest AI and data practice.
Founded in 1999, Belfast based Etain works to deliver data and digital applications for clients in the public and private sector, as well as bespoke software solutions. Etain has around 70 employees, including data engineers, cloud developers and technical solution architects, and has so far completed over 400 digital transformation projects for a wide range of organisations.
Peter Shields, Director of Etain, stated, “Since launching Etain more than two decades ago, the number of organisations turning to us to create bespoke solutions to solve their most pressing challenges has continued to grow. Working as part of Deloitte will allow us to grow the scale of the projects that we undertake, bolstering our team’s skills in building intricate software solutions with rich data expertise and an extensive global network.”
Deloitte’s announcement of intent to purchase Etain comes as the Big Four firm looks to invest in the growth of technology-focused hubs across the UK. This acquisition will double the size of Deloitte’s 1,000-strong AI and data solutions practice in Belfast, creating Northern Ireland’s largest AI and data practice – and enabling the combined organisation to devise, deliver and run ever-more ambitious data and digital transformation programmes across the UK.
Danny McConnell, Lead Consulting Partner for Deloitte in Northern Ireland, concluded, “Growing our Belfast Technology Studio with the acquisition of Etain, at completion, will enhance the culture, capability and creativity of this team and ensure that we are working with the very best talent within the city’s burgeoning technology community.”
In addition to Belfast, Deloitte has opened technology hubs in Bristol, Edinburgh and Reading over the past seven years, as it looks to meet the growing demand for digital support. These regional technology hubs act as beacons for data and digital innovation across the UK, with its Belfast Technology Studio playing a leading role in the development of AI, data solutions and analytics in Northern Ireland.
Belfast has established itself as a dynamic hub for innovation in the last decade, with a strong reputation for business, technology and new software development, in particular. It is now is among the fastest growing technology capitals in Europe. In recent years this has attracted a host of consultancies, setting up office in the city to tap into this growing market. Across the island of Ireland, meanwhile, Deloitte employs approximately 3,000 people.