Acuity Knowledge Partners has agreed to acquire Ascent, a European provider of AI-powered digital transformation services, in a deal due to close at the end of September 2025. The move is set to expand Acuity’s Data and Technology Services (DTS) division, strengthening its technology and AI-led solutions.
Ascent brings a team of 550 specialists in data, software and cloud technologies, serving more than 170 clients across seven European jurisdictions. Its addition will broaden Acuity’s sector reach into areas such as reinsurance, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and retail.
Explaining the significance of the deal, Robert King, Chief Executive Officer at Acuity, said: “Our acquisition of Ascent is a transformative moment. Acuity has invested in and built a fast-growing practice delivering data management and technology led services and solutions. By acquiring Ascent, we are taking our expertise and ability to offer our clients innovative AI-led solutions to another level. We are turbo-charging the way we can assist Acuity and Ascent clients with their digital transformations and AI adoption. This acquisition also takes us into new sectors such as reinsurance, pharma, manufacturing and retail for the first time. The acquisition enables Acuity to deliver from, and into, new markets. I am really excited at the prospect of what we can achieve together, and we warmly welcome the Ascent staff to the Acuity family.”
Jon O’Donnell, Acuity’s Chief Operating Officer, linked the acquisition to the firm’s AI roadmap: “The Ascent business is a great addition to Acuity and will build on the progress we have made with our AI solutions following the launch of our Agentic AI platform, Agent Fleet. The acquisition of Ascent will boost our capacity to provide best-in-class technology advisory services to our clients. I am excited to partner with Stewart and the Ascent team to significantly grow our DTS business.”
For Ascent, the partnership represents both continuity and expansion. Stewart Smythe, Chief Executive Officer at Ascent, commented: “Combining Ascent’s market-leading data and AI capability in Europe with Acuity’s industry-leading AI innovation and deep domain expertise is exciting. Acuity’s strategic aim to build a global technology services business unit to complement its capabilities and build broader relationships with its existing clients is exactly the opportunity my team were looking for, and we are excited to work with Robert King, Jon O’Donnell and the entire Acuity team.”
The acquisition reflects Acuity’s strategy in recent years to build a technology services arm alongside its core strengths in research, analytics and data management. It also enhances its global delivery network and builds on Ascent’s existing alliance with Microsoft.
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