Acuity Knowledge Partners

Acuity Knowledge Partners is a leading provider of high-value research, analytics and business intelligence to the financial services sector.

In April 2023, Equistone completed the exit of its majority stake in Acuity Knowledge Partners (Acuity) to funds advised by Permira. Equistone reinvested in a minority position and remains involved through board representation as part of the transaction.

Acuity serves a global blue-chip client base of over 500 financial services firms, including banks, asset managers, advisory firms, private equity houses and consulting businesses.

Its diverse team of analysts, industry experts, developers and data scientists work as an extension of clients’ teams and, combined with its proprietary technology solutions, allow clients to transform their practices and processes, increase revenues and maximise operational efficiency.

Headquartered in London, Acuity operates from numerous locations globally, including the UK, USA, India, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, China and Dubai, UAE.

VALUE CREATION

Equistone acquired a majority stake in Acuity in November 2019 through its Fund VI, carving the business out of Moodys Inc. Since then, Acuity has achieved strong organic growth, with revenue increasing from $110m in 2019 to $227m in 2022, and its specialist workforce expanding to more than 5,500 employees.

Equistone has worked alongside the management team to support initiatives, which have included:

• Establishing Acuity as an independent business and brand, focused on leading the financial services KPO market, following the carve out.
• Establishing the business as an M&A platform through the acquisition of Cians Analytics in September 2022.
• Supplementing the team, with the appointment of an industry-experienced chairman and strategy director.
• Supporting significant investment in technology and sales & marketing roles, which delivered operational efficiencies, improved customer loyalty and allowed significant penetration of white space.

Acuity’s core proposition has been supported by new service offerings such as data science and ESG.