Financial Services M&A: Apex Group Acquires ESG Advisory, Data and Analytics Firm

Apex Group, a global financial services provider, has acquired the Data & Analytics Division of MJ Hudson Plc. The acquired business includes ESG, Custodian Bank Benchmarking and Quantitative Solutions as well as Investor Relations and Marketing support.

This is M&A deal number 26 that we have covered so far in 2023. See all of the sustainable technology buyers, sellers & investors listed here.

ESG and SaaS Software Acquisition: Asset Details

Apex Group, established in Bermuda in 2003, is a global financial services provider. The company has nearly 100 offices worldwide and 12,000+ employees in 38 countries. Apex Group’s purpose is to be "more than just a financial services provider and is committed to driving positive change to address three core areas; the Environment and Climate Change, Women’s Empowerment and Economic Independence, Education and Social Mobility."

The acquired MJ Hudson assets include:

• ESG advisory services and platforms. The unit -- which has ESG software expertise -- will tuck into Apex Group's ESG Ratings & Advisory offering, which was launched in 2019 and is used by over 400 GPs & LPs and 2,000+ portfolio companies in more than 50 countries.
• A Custodian Bank Benchmarking division -- which provides benchmarking and analytics services supporting.
• Investor Relations & Marketing as well as Quantitative Solutions business lines that offer complementary SaaS, regulatory risk consulting and marketing services to the investment industry., the company said.

ESG and SaaS Software Acquisition: Executive Perspectives

In a prepared statement about the deal, Apex Group CEO Peter Hughes said: “We are pleased to welcome the clients and employees of these business divisions of MJ Hudson which will deepen our service offering and will add complementary solutions, including in the fast-growing ESG space. As we drive positive change in the industry, we will continue to evolve our pioneering ESG solutions to be the best possible partner for our clients; the addition of MJ Hudson’s ESG & Sustainability business further reinforces our position as a leading service provider. We look forward to updating the market on the successful conclusion of our acquisition of MJ Hudson’s regulated business activities including ManCo solutions, in due course.”

Apex has extensive M&A experience. The company has completed 31 acquisitions to date. Recent deals include MMC Group, Mainstream Group and Maitland, the company notes.

ESG Consulting Mergers and Acquisitions

M&A activity in the ESG consulting and services market remains strong. Example deals for 2023 include:

• Cority purchased Greenstone;
• ACT Commodities Group acquired Green Project Technologies;
• Lessen acquired Blue Skyre IBE
• Apex Analytix acquired ESG Enterprise
• ERM purchased MINT