By Staff Writer
Acuity Knowledge Partners has agreed to acquire Ascent, a European AI-driven digital transformation firm.
The deal expands Acuity’s Data and Technology Services (DTS) division and opens access to new sectors like reinsurance, pharma, manufacturing, and retail.
Ascent brings a team of 550 specialists across seven European countries, boosting Acuity’s global delivery network.
Acuity Knowledge Partners, the global provider of research, analytics, and AI-powered solutions to the financial services industry, has confirmed it will acquire Ascent, a leading European provider of AI-powered digital transformation services. The transaction is expected to close on 30 September 2025.
The move marks a major expansion of Acuity’s Data and Technology Services (DTS) division, significantly strengthening its offering of AI-led services while extending its reach into new sectors. Ascent currently supports over 170 clients globally, with 550 software, data, and cloud specialists working across seven European jurisdictions.
Robert King, Chief Executive Officer at Acuity, described the acquisition as a turning point for the firm:
“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, Chief Operating Officer at Acuity, echoed this excitement, noting how the acquisition aligns with Acuity’s progress in AI:
“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 acquisition provides the scale and backing to accelerate its AI ambitions. Stewart Smythe, CEO of 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.”
In recent years, Acuity has been steadily building out its technology services division to complement its core strengths in research, analytics, and data management. This acquisition further broadens its global delivery network, while also strengthening its existing partnership with Microsoft, an alliance Ascent has already established.
Advised by DC Advisory on the deal (with Ascent represented by Canaccord Genuity), Acuity now positions itself as a stronger force in digital transformation and AI adoption, for both financial clients and beyond.
