Acuity Knowledge Partners, a global provider of bespoke research, data management, analytics and AI solutions for the financial services sector, has agreed to acquire Ascent, a European firm known for its AI-powered digital transformation services.
The acquisition is expected to close on 30 September 2025 and is set to expand Acuity’s Data and Technology Services (DTS) division, broadening its technology and AI-led service offering. The move will also open opportunities in new industries, including reinsurance, pharma, manufacturing and retail.
Acuity specialises in supporting financial institutions with custom research, analytics, data management and AI-driven solutions, while Ascent focuses on digital transformation through data, cloud and software expertise. Ascent currently supports over 170 clients worldwide and employs 550 specialists across seven European markets.
The transaction strengthens Acuity’s global footprint, adding delivery capacity and extending its reach into new markets. Acuity also intends to build on Ascent’s strong partnership with Microsoft, further enhancing its technological capabilities. The deal builds on Acuity’s strategy of developing a complementary technology services arm alongside its traditional research and analytics operations.
Acuity CEO Robert King 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.”
Acuity chief operating officer Jon O’Donnell said, “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.”
Ascent CEO Stewart Smythe added, “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.”
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