EY announces the acquisition of Blackdot to strengthen customer transformation and growth capabilities

London, Tuesday, 12 April 2022: EY has today announced the acquisition of specialist customer consultancy Blackdot Consulting Ltd (Blackdot) to strengthen EY transformation, customer and growth capabilities.

Blackdot is an experienced customer consultancy that provides strategy design and implementation services to assist clients with achieving long-lasting customer-centred growth. Founded in Sydney Australia in 2001 by Marty Nicholas, Blackdot has served clients globally through a network covering Australia, the UK, Singapore and Canada.

The acquisition will assist EY teams in serving clients to develop and implement customer-centric growth strategies, including design, user experience, digitisation, omni-channel, go-to-market and commercialisation.

Founder and CEO Marty Nicholas will join Ernst & Young, Australia and be based in Sydney. Sixty-four Blackdot staff will join other EY member firms around the globe, with 18 people based in the UK. Mark Taylor, Managing Director Blackdot EMEA, will join Ernst & Young LLP in the UK.

Benoit Laclau, Managing Partner for Consulting, UK & Ireland, Ernst & Young LLP, said: “The acquisition and significant investment involved shows the commitment to supporting new and existing EY clients across the UK and the world. We look forward to welcoming the Blackdot team and clients to the EY organisation at what is an exciting period of ambitious growth and development.”

Alison Kay, Managing Partner for Client Service, UK & Ireland, Ernst & Young LLP, said: “The acquisition will support EY growth in the UK and Ireland, enhancing the range of skills and capabilities we provide to clients. Over the last year, six businesses including CMA Strategy Consulting, Lane4, Frank Hirth, Pythagoras, Seaton Partners and PeakEPM have been acquired in the UK. Blackdot is a great addition to EY consulting teams’ capabilities and we look forward to working with them.”

Mark Taylor, EMEA Managing Director, Blackdot, said: “We are excited about becoming part of the EY organisation. This will build on our achievements over the past 20 years, and enable us to continue helping clients solve their complex challenges.

“Combining the EY technology, data, digital and people advisory capabilities with the customer and growth expertise of Blackdot will set us up to better help clients transform and meet their ever-changing customer expectations.

“We look forward to working with our EY colleagues, both here in the UK and around the world. While this is a huge milestone for everyone who’s contributed to the growth of Blackdot over many years, it really does feel like the end of one great chapter and the beginning of another.”