BUSINESS advisers PwC have acquired UK company Optimisa Research, significantly expanding the reach of the Belfast-based global research arm.
The newly-merged operation, which becomes PwC Research, will provide connected insight to local, national and international businesses operating out of the company's Waterfront Plaza headquarters in Belfast.
Providing clients with significantly increased consumer-led research capabilities, the deal brings additional capacity in London, Belfast and Leeds, according to PwC Northern Ireland partner Honor Mallon.
She said: "Optimisa Research is a full service agency with offices in London and Leeds and has over 30 years' experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative projects," she said.
"The company has an annual turnover of around £4m and employs 45 staff, all of whom join PwC from today, operating from offices in Leeds and London."
PwC’s consulting business is regarded as a global centre of excellence for research, insight and analytics, delivering research services for global clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies, to national governments.
With the acquisition of Optimisa, the new business will comprise more than 100 research professionals and analytics consultants based at the three centres in Belfast, Leeds and London.
"Incorporating the extensive skills of the Optimisa team with our existing business is key to differentiating our service and accelerating growth," Ms Mallon added.
"We are already providing research and insight to PwC clients globally and this acquisition will expand our capacity to deliver integrated quantitative and qualitative insights to both business and consumer-facing clients.
"Optimisa has distinct strengths in the financial services sector – a key industry sector where we are already particularly active."
Marco Amitrano, UK head of consulting at PwC, described it as a "significant addition" for the company which would "support ambitious growth plans over the next few years".
"It will also support our strategic priority to bring more connected insight to our clients as they tackle increasingly complex business transformation challenges and seek opportunities for growth that arise from disruption in their industries," he added.
Following the acquisition of Optimisa, the combined PwC Research business will have specialist knowledge in sectors ranging from retail and utilities, to banking and financial services.
