A dozen deals closed in October in the People and IP-based sectors that SCD Advisory covers

2. KordaMentha buys financial crime boutique Murray Waldren Consulting

KordaMentha has bolstered its financial crime services with the addition of Murray Waldren Consulting, a Melbourne-based boutique specialised in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing. Founded in 2018 by the duo Alice Saveneh-Murray and Rachel Waldren, Murray Waldren Consulting provides consulting, training and interim services to clients in the financial services, gaming, regulatory and banking sectors. The firm operates out of offices in Melbourne and Sydney.

3. Turner & Townsend expands Australia natural resources business with JukesTodd acquisition

Turner & Townsend has acquired JukesTodd, an advisory and project management firm founded in Brisbane, Australia, doubling the size of its natural resources business in Australia. The strategic move will, the company says, create a uniquely positioned business that offers independent advice through a standout advisory, project management and commercial management offer in the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) natural resources sector. Turner & Townsend’s Australia and New Zealand business now has more than 900 people. The combined team will work together as Turner & Townsend JukesTodd in the ANZ natural resources market. Led by Steve Jukes, current Managing Director of JukesTodd, the company will build on Turner & Townsend’s existing project controls, program management, cost and commercial management capability to create an unrivalled offer in the commodities market. Established in 2007, JukesTodd has offices in Brisbane and Perth, Australia, with a strong offering in project and program management and a growing reputation in environmental, social and governance (ESG) and clean energy.

4. Deloitte acquires Sydney-based cyber boutique Hacktive

In its third deal in just as many months, Big Four firm Deloitte has acquired Hacktive, a Sydney-based cyber specialist with a team of ten professionals. The pick up of Hacktive strengthens Deloitte’s cyber capabilities across its lifecycle, with Hacktive helping clients both in the early stages (consultancy, vulnerability assessments, etc) and the latter stages of the cycle (managed services and cyber operations). Hacktive’s ten-person team works mainly for clients in the financial services, health, utilities, retail and public sectors. As part of the deal, founders Chris Gatford and Keith Hazelwood – who launched the boutique in 2018 – will join Deloitte as a partner and principal respectively.

5. Rapid Circle steps into WA with Seven Sigma acquisition

The Netherlands-based Rapid Circle has dipped its toe into the Western Australian market with the acquisition of Microsoft partner Seven Sigma Business Solutions. Acquired for an unknown sum, Seven Sigma was founded in 2007 and has 16 employees, offering services associated with the Microsoft Power Platform, Office 365 and Azure. Among other projects, it previously played a hand in the development of an app to assist with Victoria’s overhaul of its rail infrastructure. This now brings the number of Australian states Rapid Circle Australia operates in to four, adding to offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland.

6. Software developers unite as Endava snaps up Lexicon

To fast track its expansion plans in the region, UK-headquartered software development company Endava has acquired Melbourne-based consultancy outfit Lexicon. The acquisition of Lexicon enhances Endava’s existing presence in Australia and provides a foundation for in-market growth. In addition, Lexicon provides Endava with a nearshore delivery location in Vietnam, which complements Endava’s existing operations in Singapore and Malaysia. Founded in 2016, Lexicon has 127 staff in Australia with offices in Melbourne and Sydney, as well as in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The integration process between the two organisations will take place throughout the 2023 financial year.

7. EY acquires NZ-based ServiceNow specialist Red Moki

Big four consulting firm EY has acquired New Zealand-headquartered technology services provider Red Moki, aiming to strengthen its transformation and ServiceNow capabilities across its Oceania business. Red Moki is a specialist in ServiceNow, particularly in managing intelligent automated workflows. The company has offices across Australia, New Zealand and India.

8. Shippit acquires Singaporean logistics startup Luwjistik for $18 million

Australian logistics tech company Shippit is ramping up operations in Southeast Asia (SEA) after today announcing the acquisition of Singapore-based logistics SaaS platform Luwjistik for $18 million. The move comes almost seven months after the company purchased last mile logistics tech platform Premonition for an undisclosed sum, and follows a $65 million Series B2 capital raise which helped bolster operations in SEA. The buy-out will see Shippit co-founder and co-CEO William On relocate to Singapore to spearhead the new expansion and manage Luwjistik’s existing team of 50 staff, building on two years of operations in the region for the Sydney-based firm.

9. Stonehaven Expands To Asia-Pacific With Acquisition Of Ian Rumsby’s Aeio

Former Weber Shandwick leader Ian Rumsby Iwill now lead Asia-Pacific operations for policy and sustainability consultancy Stonehaven, amid a number of hires. Policy and sustainability consultancy Stonehaven has expanded its operations to Asia-Pacific by acquiring Aeio and making a number of hires in the region. Aeio was founded 18 months ago by former Weber Shandwick Asia-Pacific chief strategy officer Ian Rumsby, who now becomes Asia-Pacific managing partner for Stonehaven, overseeing the latter firm’s operations in the region. Rumsby previously spent two decades with Weber Shandwick.

10. Seisma Group is delighted to announce its acquisition of New Zealand IT professional services company Fronde

Seisma and Fronde will continue servicing clients across New Zealand and Australia, with a forward focus on growing the Seisma Group’s presence in New Zealand. The acquisition will allow for a wider breadth of services and more opportunities to service government, utility and enterprise clients across the New Zealand marketplace. Seisma CEO Robert Hogeland says that part of Seisma’s growth objective has always been to secure a strategic investment to strengthen its presence in New Zealand.

11. Aurecon expands sustainability practice with Market Advisory Group

International design, engineering and advisory company Aurecon has acquired Market Advisory Group, a 15-strong boutique consultancy specialised in carbon market services. The acquisition sees Aurecon bolster its sustainability and climate change practice, deepening its capabilities with new carbon markets offerings ranging from advice and insights on carbon market dynamics and trading, carbon procurement strategies, carbon market risks and mitigation strategies, to analysis on policies and regulations. Founded in 2018, Market Advisory Group provides services to a wide range of organisations, including corporates (including a dozen ASX 100 clients), governments, financial institutions and consultancies.

12. CMW Geosciences in Australia and New Zealand joins Kiwa family

As of 14 October 2022, Kiwa Group (Australia and North America) and CMW Geosciences have merged. CMW Geosciences join a growing family of Kiwa Group businesses in the Asia Pacific region including Construction Sciences, SureSearch, Trilab and Geochempet Services. The addition of CMW Geosciences, a market leading Geotechnical consultancy firm with 200 staff in 10 locations across Australia and New Zealand, makes the company part of a large international TIC company with highly respected services and skills. CMW Geosciences clients will benefit from the extensive global network of Kiwa, and will gain access to additional services offered through our local partner businesses. For the CMW Geosciences directors and all staff and Kiwa Group businesses it will be business as usual. CMW Geosciences will continue to operate and continue delivering outstanding geotechnical solutions for clients. The partnership will help drive continued organic growth across the Asia Pacific region and create many exciting new opportunities for our business teams to partner on major projects.