RSK strengthens business services sector presence with introduction of Fortia Insight

RSK has acquired the strategy, economic and policy (SEP) consultancy services arm of RSM UK, a leading audit, tax and consulting firm, and merged this business with ERS, a leading provider of economic research consultancy services that joined RSK in 2022. As a newly merged entity, the business will be rebranded as Fortia Insight.

The move supports RSK’s strategy to grow its consultancy services across key sectors and enhances the group’s existing policy, economics, research and insights offering.

Fortia Insight, consisting of a team of around 52 economists, researchers, data analysts, evaluators and policy experts, will operate across the UK and Ireland and further afield. The team comprises trusted independent economic and policy advisers with strong expertise across a range of policy areas, including health and social care, social policy, science and technology, economic and social development, labour market and skills, energy and environment and infrastructure. They will provide a modern and innovative service, underpinned by the use of data analytics and AI.

The SEP team has a proven reputation for excellence in the delivery of large complex projects, demonstrating capabilities in policy and programme evaluation, project appraisal and case making, econometrics and economic modelling, strategy development and quantitative and qualitative research.

The team delivers work for UK central government departments (including the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Department for Education, the Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government), devolved administrations, local authorities, economic development agencies, other public bodies (UK Research and Innovation and the British Business Bank), universities and third sector organisations.

Fortia Insight Managing Director Jenny Irwin (previously lead partner of the SEP arm of RSM) said: “We are proud to be spearheading this new chapter of growth as Fortia Insight. Along with our colleagues from ERS, and with our specialist expertise, we are confident that the business will continue to thrive with both existing clients and new. Joining forces within RSK will allow us to continue to further develop the businesses across new markets and support our ambitions for growth.”

RSK Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Ryder said: “This is a great addition to RSK, one that greatly enhances our broad range of consultancy services. RSM has an excellent reputation in the market, and the SEP arm of the business fits perfectly with ERS. Together, as Fortia Insight, the team can provide a quality and depth of service that will set it apart in the market.”