Acuity Knowledge Partners forecasting strong growth in 2021

• Expects to hire 1,200 employees to support record growth

Acuity Knowledge Partners (Acuity), a leading provider of bespoke research, analytics and technology solutions to the financial services sector, announced its growth plans for 2021, after reporting record growth in 2020 and a strong first quarter in 2021.

Year 2020 was unpredictable for global businesses. It was also the first year of Acuity’s operations since becoming independent from Moody’s Corporation, following its management buyout backed by Equistone Partners Europe in November 2019. 

Over the year, Acuity added more than 80 clients, bringing the total number of institutional clients it supports to over 350. In line with continued new business growth, it intends to hire over 1,200 employees in 2021 across its offices globally. 

“As the COVID-19 pandemic brought about immeasurable tragedy, Acuity focused on ways it could best support its employees and clients and the communities it operates in,” said Acuity Knowledge Partners Chief Executive Officer Robert King. 

“We were fortunate to connect with clients on a deeper level and grow our business by offering market-leading services and technology solutions to new and existing clients. Global banks, asset managers and financial services companies sought assistance to transform their businesses, drive innovation and operate efficiently. Through our ability to provide quality services—even though the business moved to a work-from-home footing from March 2020—Acuity has been able to continue hiring talent and expand its reach in North America, Europe, and Asia. We have significant ambitions for 2021 and beyond, and following a highly successful first quarter, we intend to keep our momentum going and further invest in the business.”

Acuity has invested heavily in its people, processes, information security and emerging technology to ensure the highest level of service delivery to our clients during the past year. Notably, the company increased its investments in innovative technology solutions, such as machine learning, RPA and data science, to help clients leverage Acuity’s bespoke digital applications and platforms to fuel their own growth.

“We are delighted that our new business growth and client expansion have resulted in the largest hiring drive in our 18-year history,” said Acuity Knowledge Partners Chief Human Resource Officer Avadhesh Dixit. “Our new hires can expect to join a world-class organisation, with an opportunity to work as a partner to and an extension of the leading financial services firms globally. We have a strong focus on career development, coupled with training and knowledge enhancement of the highest standards. Our diverse and inclusive culture is core to our values, and we are particularly proud of our focus on gender equality.”

Acuity’s Colombo office has 350 employees and recently expanded its operations, both in terms of staff strength and office space, to support new clients. Client solutions offered by Acuity’s Colombo office include equity research, fixed income and credit research, quantitative credit strategy and analytics, wholesale banking credit research, and contextual technology. The accelerated hiring of staff in Colombo will continue this year as part of the company’s global hiring plan in 2021.