CGI takes UK headcount to 9,000 with BJSS acquisition
CGI has agreed a deal to acquire UK consultancy BJSS for an undisclosed fee. The move will add 2,400 to CGI’s British headcount.
Founded in 1993, BJSS is one of the UK’s largest independent IT and software engineering consultancies. The Leeds-headquartered firm has a headcount of over 2,400 across the country, with staff working with clients to address complex technology challenges, including technology strategy and delivery, customer experience design, managed services, software engineering, AI, data and insights, cloud and platform solutions, and cybersecurity services.
CGI meanwhile, is a global technology consultancy headquartered in Canada. With 90,000 consultants around the world, it’s global revenue was £8.9 billion (CA$14.68 billion) in 2024 – and the firm sees opportunities to buoy that further in a British market where demand for digital transformation services is on the rise. With the UK Government having launched a £14 billion action plan to “make AI work for working people”, CGI’s move for BJSS will take the technology consultancy’s British headcount to almost 9,000 experts.
CGI and BJSS already work with prominent organisations; CGI catering to the Ministry of Defence, Network Rail, and the European Space Agency; and BJSS working with the Met Office, DVSA, and Bath University. Working together, the pair say that they now see an opportunity to better-support clients through “the opportunities presented in this tech boom”.
Tara McGeehan, President of CGI’s UK and Australia operations, commented, “BJSS has a well-earned reputation for delivering exceptional value to its clients, driven by technical excellence and innovative thinking. By joining forces, we will strengthen our ability to help clients across the private and public sectors achieve measurable outcomes, such as driving efficiencies, improving customer experiences and generating business growth.”
BJSS posted revenues of £300.7 million and adjusted operating profit of £54.4 million in its latest public annual report for the period up until April 2023. To that end, McGeehan notes that the move to join CGI will benefit BJSS employees as they can avail themselves of the firm’s ownership culture, “which empowers all employees to become company owners and actively shape our future direction”.
On top of this, the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, also presents a number of new opportunities for BJSS to expand its services’ reach internationally. The deal – which will see BJSS realign under CGI branding – will enable its consultants to partner with clients through “a proximity-based model, while drawing on the support of the company’s broad international presence and wide range of services to deliver value”.
Glynn Robinson, BJSS chair, added, “Joining CGI represents an exciting new chapter for BJSS. Both CGI and BJSS share a commitment to sustainability, employee engagement and long-term client relationships. Together, we can leverage our complementary strengths to deliver even greater value for our clients while creating new opportunities for our talented team.”
