Anthesis acquires London-based creative consultancy Revolt

Anthesis has announced a merger with global purpose strategy specialist group Revolt, for an undisclosed fee. The companies are joining forces to support their client partners with the technical expertise, the deep sustainability capability and the strategic ambition needed to drive sustainable performance.

Speaking on the move, Stuart McLachlan, CEO of Anthesis, explained, “Anthesis exists to guide our clients as they transition to decarbonised and more sustainable futures. The development and activation of purpose-led strategies for C-suites and brands will be critical. With Revolt, we now have world-class expertise and experience in purpose consulting, strategy and communication. This, combined with our scientific rigour, our market-leading digital solutions, and the development of high-quality carbon removal projects, gives us the ingredients needed to manage risk and find value for our clients in their transformation journeys.”

Anthesis is a sustainability advisory firm, with offices in Andorra, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Middle East, the Philippines, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the US. Bringing together more than 650 experts operating in 40 countries around the world, the firm – which holds B Corp status – works with cities, companies, and other organisations to drive sustainable performance around the world.

Revolt complements the offerings of Anthesis, as a specialist strategic and creative support provider which delivers works as a trusted brand strategy and communications partner with its clients. Since its launch in 2017, the business has built a reputation for turning ESG rigour into practical, actionable solutions – driving the agenda at the Board and brand level through highly innovative and impact-driven work – and has offices in London and New York, with more than 70 staff.

Revolt partners with blue-chip clients including Mars, PepsiCo, ABInBev, KraftHeinz, Diageo, L’Oréal and Syngenta. The business has received significant recognition and awards, including becoming the first UK business to win at Cannes Lions for Business Transformation – and is also a B Corp.

The coming together of Revolt and Anthesis is a response to the growing need of organisations to define a purpose-driven strategic position that drives corporate and brand strategy and steers investments into sustainability, strengthening business and brand performance and delivering transformative impact. According to a release from the firms, the collective force of Revolt and Anthesis will “activate and guide clients from the broken and unsustainable models of the old era” with the combined 150 strategists, innovators and creatives supplying holistic purpose, brand activation, communications, reporting and strategy teams globally, as part of the wider unique Anthesis client offering.

Revolt co-founder, Alex Lewis, added, “The promise of sustainable impact is within reach, but getting there is difficult for brands and businesses to navigate. Many of those struggling with this complexity find that traditional consultancy and agency models aren’t built to help them adapt. To urgently scale purposeful impact, it is becoming increasingly important for the science, the art, the technical and the strategic to come together. This is why we are delighted that our second chapter will be as part of the Anthesis family. Together, we have a unique opportunity to accelerate this sustainable transformation for clients new and old.”

Anthesis has completed 22 acquisitions since 2013, growing to over 1,300 specialists across 46 offices in 23 countries – and looks set to continue this expansion into 2024. The deal to bring Revolt into the Anthesis brand is the first M&A action to be announced by the firm in the new year. But it follows five announcements in a busy 2023; Colombian sustainability and digital consultancy, ConTREEbute; Australian sustainability advisory firm, Ndevr Environmental and Wallbrook; impact-led creative change agency, Charlescannon; and growth and innovation consultancy, Progressive.