Sustainability Consulting M&A: Anthesis Acquires Revolt

Sustainability consultancy Anthesis has acquired Revolt, a consulting firm that assists c-suite decision makers with projects involving sustainability, DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) strategy, communications and creative execution. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

This is M&A deal number 24 that Sustainable Tech Partner has covered so far in 2024. See all M&A deals involving sustainability, climate tech and green IT services listed here.

Revolt, founded in 2017, is based in London with operations in New York. The company has roughly 70 employees. The business has "built a reputation for turning ESG rigour into practical, actionable solutions – driving the agenda at the Board and brand level through highly innovative and impact-driven work," Revolt said. Example clientele includes such companies as Mars Inc., PepsiCo, ABInBev, KraftHeinz, Diageo, L’Oréal and Syngenta, the firm noted.

Anthesis, founded in 2013, is based in London. The company positions itself as the largest group of dedicated sustainability professionals globally. Anthesis has 1,300 employees across 46 offices in 23 countries.

Anthesis Acquires Revolt: Executive Perspectives on the Deal

In a prepared statement about the deal, Anthesis CEO Stuart McLachlan said: “Anthesis exists to guide our clients as they transition to decarbonised and more sustainable futures. The development and activation of purpose-led strategies for C-suites and brands will be critical. With Revolt, we now have world-class expertise and experience in purpose consulting, strategy and communication. This, combined with our scientific rigour, our market-leading digital solutions, and the development of high-quality carbon removal projects, gives us the ingredients needed to manage risk and find value for our clients in their transformation journeys. I’m delighted that we have assembled all these interdependent and vital components into one team focused on delivering positive impact.”

Added Revolt Co-founder Alex Lewis: “The promise of sustainable impact is within reach, but getting there is difficult for brands and businesses to navigate. Many of those struggling with this complexity find that traditional consultancy and agency models aren’t built to help them adapt. To urgently scale purposeful impact, it is becoming increasingly important for the science, the art, the technical and the strategic to come together. This is why we are delighted that our second chapter will be as part of the Anthesis family. Together, we have a unique opportunity to accelerate this sustainable transformation for clients new and old.”

Anthesis: Previous Acquisitions

Anthesis has grown both organically and through acquisitions. Example acquisitions from 2023 include:

• Colombian sustainability and digital consultancy, ConTREEbute;
• Australian sustainability advisory firm, Ndevr Environmental;
• a leading global ESG advisory firm, Wallbrook;
• impact-led creative change agency, Charlescannon; and a
  prominent growth and innovation consultancy, Progressive.