RSK swoops for Birmingham social research and insight agency

Birmingham-based social research and insight agency BMG Research has been acquired by environmental, engineering and technical services group RSK for an undisclosed sum.

RSK says the deal will support its 175 companies with research and data evaluation services.

BMG Research has a team of nearly 100 researchers, with experts based in Birmingham, Glasgow and London.

BMG Research’s clients include many of the largest government departments, such as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for International Trade (DIT).

In addition to working with central government, BMG Research serves a range of government agencies and regulators, local authorities, utility companies and housing associations.

Recent projects have included studies exploring public attitudes towards the environment and international trade, communications campaign tracking, evaluation studies and numerous programmes to understand the impacts of COVID-19 and the rise in cost of living on public health and wellbeing.

BMG Research managing director Dawn Hands, who will continue to lead the business, said: “BMG Research is delighted to be part of the growing and thriving RSK Group. BMG Research is aligned with many of RSK’s key sectors, but more importantly it shares the RSK culture of sustainable and ethical growth. We are hugely excited by the opportunities this new relationship brings, not only for the business but also for our staff and clients.”

Heligan Group partner Colin Strevens, who led the transaction, said: “BMG Research is a real success story. Founded more than 30 years ago the business has gone from strength to strength and provides its largely Public Sector clients with vital insights to formulate policy and evaluate decisions. This deal proves how resilient local businesses remain attractive for acquirers despite the well documented economic challenges. We were delighted to help deliver this deal for Dawn and the team.”

Advisers on the deal were Heligan Group (Corporate Finance) and Legal Clarity (Legal) for the sellers; Cortus (Financial Due Diligence) and Memery Crystal (Legal) for the buyers.