COLOMBO, Sept 19, 2025 (ePRESS) – Acuity Knowledge Partners (Acuity), a global provider of research, data and AI solutions for the financial services sector, said Friday it has agreed to acquire Ascent, a leading European AI-powered digital transformation company. The deal is expected to close on September 30, 2025.
The acquisition will significantly expand Acuity’s Data and Technology Services division, boosting its technology and AI-led offerings.
Ascent works with more than 170 clients worldwide and employs 550 data, software and cloud specialists across seven European countries.
“This is a transformative moment,” said Robert King, Chief Executive Officer of Acuity. “By acquiring Ascent, we are taking our AI solutions to another level and entering new sectors such as reinsurance, pharma, manufacturing and retail. We warmly welcome Ascent staff to the Acuity family.”
Jon O’Donnell, Acuity’s Chief Operating Officer, said the deal would build on the company’s recent AI initiatives. “The acquisition of Ascent will boost our capacity to provide best-in-class technology advisory services to our clients,” he said.
Stewart Smythe, Chief Executive Officer of Ascent, said joining Acuity would create strong synergies. “Combining Ascent’s market-leading data and AI capability in Europe with Acuity’s innovation and deep domain expertise is exactly the opportunity my team was looking for,” he said.
Acuity has over 6,500 professionals supporting more than 650 financial institutions worldwide. It was spun off from Moody’s in 2019 and is now majority-owned by Permira, a global private equity firm.
Ascent, founded in 2005 and headquartered in the UK and Munich, specialises in helping companies modernise and innovate with AI, data and cloud-based solutions.
Acuity was advised by DC Advisory on the deal, while Ascent was advised by Canaccord Genuity.
