Compliance specialists ACA and Foreside complete merger

US governance, risk and compliance (GRC) advisor ACA Group and peer Foreside have completed their previously announced merger for an undisclosed sum to become one of the largest governance, risk management and compliance firms in the world.

The combined entity will operate under the ACA brand, with Foreside’s distribution business joining the group as ACA Foreside, a new division under ACA.

The company is majority-owned by private equity firm Genstar Capital (which invested in Foreside in June 2021), following its acquisition of the controlling interest in ACA from Starr Investment Holding upon completion of the merger.

The combination unites ACA’s technology, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, ESG and performance capabilities with Foreside’s distribution and broker-dealer capabilities to provide a full suite of GRC-related services.

The merger also brings together over 1,250 employees, 18 global offices and 6,300 clients.

“Clients are looking for a comprehensive, one-stop solution for their GRC needs, and we are thrilled to step up to the plate together to make GRC a competitive advantage for our clients,” said Shvetank Shah, CEO of ACA.

“Foreside and ACA have earned outstanding reputations and our aligned vision and culture, client-centric focus, and commitment to innovation will help our customers navigate their most complex GRC challenges.”

The merger completion comes at the heels of Foreside’s acquisition of independent COO services provider Cipperman Compliance Services in April. The acquisition boosted Foreside’s headcount by approximately 25 and its clients by over 100.

Like Genstar Capital, Dutch investor Main Capital Partners also ventured into solutions for GRC processes by launching a new international software group following the acquisition of Swedish group Blika and German entity Audimex.

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