Livingbridge today announces its investment in specialist financial markets consultancy Catalyst
Development (“Catalyst”). Founded in 1994, Catalyst provides regulatory-driven change, organisational improvement and talent development programmes to global financial markets companies. Catalyst has worked with more than 70 clients in over 30 financial centres worldwide, including nine out of the world’s top 12 investment banks, and has mentored more than 250 of the most senior figures in financial markets. Catalyst holds the UK’s highest business accolade, The Queen’s Award for Enterprise, in recognition of the firm’s global impact.
Global banks spent about $30bn on consultancy fees in 2016, up from $17bn in 2008. Client demand for Catalyst’s specialist services is significant, driven by far-reaching G20 commitments to making markets safer in the wake of the financial crisis. Catalyst’s clients are now increasingly requiring ‘specialism at scale’ to tackle large, complex programmes of transformational change.
Livingbridge’s investment will enable Catalyst to address the escalating requirements of the financial sector and grow its client base by accelerating its service development, strengthening its infrastructure, and expanding its talent development and acquisition strategy with the aim of trebling headcount.
Catalyst also intends to increase its international presence, and Livingbridge has committed to provide additional capital to pursue strategic acquisitions.
Livingbridge has supported many consultancy businesses and the investment in Catalyst follows investments in clinical service consultancy Four Eyes Insight, recruitment consultants such as The Up Group and procurement consultancy Efficio.
Commenting on the investment, Andrew Middleton, CEO at Catalyst, said:
“Since the financial crisis, there has been a growing need for expert, trusted advisors to help financial institutions navigate change. We have long-standing relationships with many of the world’s largest financial institutions and a strong reputation for excellence. Our ambition is to become Europe’s leading financial markets specialists. Working with such a respected investor as Livingbridge will enable us to build on the momentum we have already generated and accelerate our growth to establish Catalyst as the unrivalled choice for specialist financial markets consultancy.”
Paul Landsman at Livingbridge, said:
“Andrew and his team have been very successful in establishing Catalyst as a premier speciality consultancy for the financial markets and we are delighted to be working with them to help them realise the next stage in their development both through organic growth and acquisitions. We have experience of working with high growth consultancy firms and will be looking to bring some of this experience to Catalyst as the business looks to expand its product offering and grow its team.”