Consulting M&A (CM&A), a London-based mergers and acquisitions advisory firm, has supported Sitka Technology Group, a Portland, OR-based environmental technology company, with its sale to Environmental Sciences Association (ESA).
Founded in 2008, Sitka develops and manages knowledge infrastructure for conservation, restoration, and sustainable development. The firm offers services and solutions in data systems assessment, design, development, implementation, and management.
As part of the merger, Sitka’s 36 professionals will join ESA and form a new technology services practice.
ESA was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in San Francisco. The employee-owned firm has a team of more than 550 people across the West Coast and Southeast regions delivering services in environmental planning, design, permitting, mitigation, and habitat restoration.
“Joining forces with ESA is a natural fit for the Sitka team, building on our shared values that include commitment to innovation, client service, taking care of our people, and making a positive difference in the world,” said Matt Deniston, co-founder of Sitka, who will join ESA alongside co-founders Brian Knowles and Keith Steele as VPs in the technology services practice. Deniston will serve as practice leader.
Sitka and ESA collaborated on several projects in the past three years, including work for the California Department of Water Resources and Los Angeles World Airports.
“The ability to effectively use technology to capture and analyse large and complex sets of data is critical in helping our clients make decisions and communicate clearly with stakeholders,” said Mike Leech, ESA Vice president and technology services director. “We have made significant strides in these areas, and the integration of Sitka greatly accelerates our goal of being a leader in this space.”
CM&A provided sell-side support to Sitka on the transaction, for which financial terms were not disclosed.
CM&A’s team of four partners – Bruce Ramsay, Harry McDermott, Cian O’Connor, and Ed Groome – focus on helping IT services and consulting firms grow their value pre-deal and realize maximum value in the sale process. The CM&A team has extensive experience in consulting, IT, and finance – having held roles in delivery, business development, leadership, and transactions.
Since its founding in 2019, the firm has advised more than 100 consultancies on profitable growth and successfully delivered 25+ transactions – including seven in 2021.