Deal provides the European firm with a foothold in the world's largest consulting market and expands its capabilities in the global development sector.
Civitta, a management consultancy with operations primarily in Central and Eastern Europe, has acquired J.E. Austin Associates (JAA), an Arlington, Virginia-based firm specializing in economic development. The acquisition provides Civitta with its first direct presence in the United States.
The strategic goal of the merger is to enter the U.S. consulting market and expand into the global development sector. J.E. Austin Associates has 39 years of experience, particularly in U.S. government-funded private sector development projects focused on improving the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.
According to the announcement, Civitta operates in 22 countries with a reported 2024 turnover of €48 million. The firm’s team of over 700 experts will be joined by the JAA team. J.E. Austin Associates reported a 2024 turnover of $8 million. The combined entity aims to leverage JAA’s established presence to pursue development projects in emerging markets in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
“This is not just a market entry; it’s an acquisition of a world-class strategic legacy and intellectual capital,” said Ander Ojandu, a Partner and Co-Founder at Civitta. “With the ongoing reorganization in the development industry, there is a clear demand for more agile and accountable partners.”
Joe Lowther, President at J.E. Austin Associates, will continue with the firm in a Partner role at Civitta. “This partnership felt like a natural fit from the very beginning,” Lowther stated. “For our team, joining Civitta means we can continue this mission while also gaining the opportunity to work on a broader range of impactful international projects.”
SOURCE: Civitta
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