Serco buys protection sector consultancy WBB for $295 million
Serco Inc., the US subsidiary of Serco Group plc, a UK-based global government services outsourcer, has acquired Whitney, Bradley & Brown (WBB), a Reston, VA-based defense advisory service provider.
Founded in 1981, WBB provides program management and advisory services to the US Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies. The company supports clients with solutions in weapons procurement, advanced analysis, mission support, organizational development and training – with strong capabilities in weapon modernization, machine learning, cybersecurity, wargaming and simulation.
WBB employs around 1,000 people in 14 US offices.
The acquisition of WBB by Serco will strengthen the advisory service for clients in the defense sector. In particular, the move enables the company to sign contracts with the Army, Air Force and Missile Defense Agency.
The move builds on Serco’s acquisition of Alion’s marine systems business in 2019, which enabled the company to become a full-service provider to the U.S. Navy.
“This acquisition is in line with our strategy of expanding our capabilities with the Air Force, Army, Missile Defense Agency, Secretary of Defense and other large customers,” said Dave Dacquino, Chairman and CEO of Serco Inc. “WBB brings physical Presence and established customer relationships in strategic locations that match Serco’s service offering. Her expertise in weapon modernization, including cybersecurity, improved sensors, machine learning and tactical networking, complements our existing work for the US Navy and other DoD customers to a large extent. “
The addition of WBB strengthens Serco’s existing capabilities in AI, machine learning, data analysis and cyber consulting, and adds new expertise in wargaming, modeling and simulation.
The $ 295 million purchase will add nearly 1,000 employees and $ 230 annual revenue. Serco, based in Herndon, VA, currently employs 8,000 people in North America and has annual sales of $ 1.4 billion. Primarily, the company provides public sector clients in the defense, transportation, and citizen services sectors with professional, technology, and management services. Parent company Serco Group plc has annual sales of US $ 5 billion and employs more than 50,000 people worldwide.
As part of the transaction, which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021, WBB CEO Robert Olsen will continue to lead the company as a new segment within Serco.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to join Serco and leverage the larger platform to sustain the tradition of high quality products, collaboration and growth that WBB has been known for since our founding in 1981,” said Olsen, now SVP at Serco Inc.
