PARIS — Teneo has acquired Societer, a French advisory firm specialising in environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) and sustainable leadership, to expand its operations in France and its European ESG offering.

In addition, the firm has launched its restructuring business in the Asia-Pacific, following its acquisition of Deloitte UK’s restructuring services business earlier this year. 

Aurélie Motta-Rivey and Mathilde Oliveau, president and director general of Societer respectively, will join Teneo France’s management team as senior managing directors, reporting to Olivier Jay, president of Teneo France. Nathalie de Gaulle, co-founder of Societer, becomes a senior advisor at Teneo.

Motta-Rivey said: “Becoming part of Teneo and its world-class global business focused on CEOs will allow us to expand the reach of our clients. It elevates our consultancy offer in sustainable leadership to the international level, very much reflecting the nature of societal issues which are, by definition, both local and global.”

Jay said there would be “additional developments” in the coming months “to drive the expansion and diversification of Teneo’s offering in the French market.”

He said: “This investment, with others to follow, accelerates our foothold in the French market. After its establishment just six months ago, Teneo France now offers a complete and tailor-made set of services to French business leaders, combining the strategic counsel required for their leadership with a strong international capability.”

In Asia-Pacific, Josh Lewsey and Anthony Vasey come onboard to lead the firm's Value+ restructuring unit. Lewsey becomes CEO, after previously serving as strategy and transactions partner at EY-Parthenon. COO Vasey was an M&A and corporate finance lawyer.

“The launch of our business in Asia Pacific is the next step on our journey to build the leading global restructuring firm," said Teneo restructuring CEO Daniel Butters. "The addition of both Josh and Anthony build on our existing Teneo Value+ offering (formerly Performance Improvement) led by Pete Callas and Sandy Duncan in the UK."