Geldards advises EMB Group on two acquisitions

The Geldards Corporate team advised EMB Group on two acquisitions that strengthened the company’s position in the research industry.

Leicester-based EMB Group provides research and consultancy services to the public sector, including programme management, business process outsourcing and grants administration, working for both local and national governments and government agencies.

The company has recently been joined by Blue Marble Research, a market and social research firm with a strong track record in environmental and sustainability projects, working with government bodies, commercial brands, charities and utility providers.

EMB’s latest acquisition is York-based Qa Research, a provider of qualitative, quantitative and data collection services.

Blue Marble and Qa have joined the EMB family of companies and will continue to operate as independent companies.

EMB Group has a long-standing relationship with Geldards, who previously advised them on their acquisition of research specialist Pye Tait in 2023.

Geldards’ corporate team, led by partner Paul Feenan, advised on all aspects of the two acquisitions, supported by senior partner Manjot Shokar, solicitor Sophie Henwood and trainee solicitor Charlotte Hajduk.

Feenan said: “It has been a pleasure to advise EMB Group on these recent acquisitions, Geldards has worked closely with Danielle and the team to help them realise their ambitions to expand their business over the last few years. We are delighted to have had the opportunity to advise on the acquisition of Blue Marble Research and Qa Research and wish EMB Group every success in their continued growth journey.”

EMB Group CEO Danielle Gillett said: “We are delighted to welcome Blue Marble and Qa Research to the Group. Together they enhance our existing research capabilities and broaden our expertise in areas such as Utilities, Regulatory and Hard to Reach.

“As always, we were impressed with the Geldards team who were able to work at our pace and support two acquisitions in a short space of time.”