WASHINGTON — Newly launched “stakeholder services” firm Penta has acquired London-based agency Hume Brophy, expanding its global footprint across Europe and Asia.

The acquisition bolsters Washington-based Penta’s expertise in comms, public affairs and strategy, and adds offices in London, Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Paris, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Co-founders John Hume and Eoin Brophy, who launched the firm in 2005, will continue as senior advisors.

Hume Brophy’s chief executive, Conall McDevitt, will become a senior partner and managing partner of Europe and Asia at Penta. The deal brings to Penta about 100 team members working across sectors including energy, transportation and mobility, agribusiness, and financial services. 

“This is a natural and exciting progression for Hume Brophy. It is an opportunity for our talented and dedicated colleagues to lead Penta’s growth in Europe and Asia, and to work as one team on a new and exciting global platform that will compete with the very best in the world,” Hume and Brophy said in a statement. “Our business model, based on strong local businesses in key strategic hubs, combined with specialist international practices, is a differentiator in a highly competitive market. We look forward to bringing this approach to Penta as we begin our journey together.”

Said Penta President Matt McDonald, “Leaders are increasingly required to solve complex challenges under public scrutiny and engage with a growing set of stakeholders. As we look to provide the actionable intelligence businesses need to inform their decision-making, we are excited to welcome the Hume Brophy team to Penta. Their deep understanding of the issues that matter most to our clients and unmatched access to the highest level of international decision-making will significantly bolster Penta’s strategy offerings across the globe.”

The acquisition comes roughly four months after Penta’s creation in September when six independent strategy, analytics, research and intelligence specialists merged to create the 200-strong global ‘stakeholder solutions’ firm backed with private equity funding.

At that time, Ballast Research, Hamilton Place Strategies, Flag Media Analytics, Alva and Gotham Research Group – which add been working together for the preceding year — along with newly-acquired Decode_M, rebranded and launched as Penta, backed by a majority investment by Falfurrias Capital Partners. Penta has said that acquisitions are part of the group's growth plan.