Blog

The sustainability consultancy ERM completed its sixth acquisition in 2021, with the renewable energy consultancy RCG bringing another 60 experts to ERM. Consulting M&A advised its client RCG throughout the transaction.

ERM CEO Keryn James commented on the news: “Our goal is to create a sustainable future with the world’s leading companies. Leveraging the new opportunities offered by renewable energies and low carbon technologies is central to this goal. With the acquisition of RCG, we are in an even stronger position to help our customers unlock the huge potential of the clean energy revolution. “

RCG (short for Renewables Consulting Group) was founded in 2015 and is a global market research, management and technical consulting company that focuses exclusively on the global renewable energy industry. The professional service company is led by its management team, which consists of CEO Sebastian Chivers, COO Dr. Lee Clarke, Dan Pearson’s Chief Strategy Officer and three regional directors in London, New York and Tokyo.

With the transaction, RCG’s 60 experts will add to ERM’s 5,500 employees in 160 offices in 40 countries, strengthening the company’s ability to advise customers on buying and selling renewable energy assets and adding extensive industry experience for offshore wind projects. Meanwhile, the RCG management team joins the ERM partnership.

RCG COO Clarke commented, “We already have a track record of successfully working closely with ERM in global markets and sharing values ​​and ways of working. Working together as a single team gives customers competitive advantages throughout the entire project life cycle. “

RCG joins ERM at a moment of great growth. In early 2021, KKR, one of the largest private equity groups in the world, acquired a majority stake in ERM from OMERS Private Equity and Alberta Investment Management Corporation. The investment has helped drive ERM’s further expansion this year. Deals to date in 2021 include sustainability strategy company E4Tech, ESG analyst Sustainalize, health and safety specialist First Option, engineering firm Engineering Safety Consultants and energy consultancy Arcus Consultancy Services.

Sebastian Chivers, CEO of RCG, added, “Our vision for RCG has been centered on building the world’s most respected renewable energy consultancy from the very beginning. Becoming part of the ERM Group will help us accelerate this vision and become a global leader in the energy transition for our customers. ERM’s support will enable us to take the business to the next level. “

Deal advisor

While the size of ERM enabled him to manage the deal from his side with an internal deal, the specialist in merger and acquisition advisory Consulting M&A supported RCG throughout the process. The project was led by Bruce Ramsay, a Managing Partner at Consulting M&A.

According to Ramsay, the success of the RCG business has been “hiring the best consultants with expertise in a growing sector to ensure consistent delivery, quality delivery and professional management of all operations”. He stated that it was a model that “other consultancies would follow well”.

Meanwhile, considering the support RCG has received, Chivers added, “We are very pleased to have appointed CM&A – the team is highly professional and fun too. Thank you very much for your leadership, persistence and hard work. “