Excellera, a leading EMEA group in Corporate Affairs consultancy, announces that Fourtold, a Brussels-based public affairs and policy communications consultancy, is joining the Group. The transaction strengthens Excellera’s presence in Europe’s principal decision-making centre and forms part of the international growth path supported by ICG, one of the world’s leading alternative asset managers.
With an office in Brussels since 2018 and a certified B Corp, Fourtold is a public affairs and policy communications consultancy specialising in integrated campaigning, bringing together political insight, policy expertise and communications. It works across healthcare, technology and the energy transition, with an international team of around 30 professionals including former EU institutional officials, journalists, campaigners and policy experts.
Fourtold’s arrival strengthens Excellera’s presence in Brussels and its ability to support clients in positioning themselves with the European institutions. The transaction combines Fourtold’s experience in integrated public affairs and communications campaigns with the Group’s international network. For Fourtold, access to Excellera’s expertise in financial communications and data intelligence will offer further opportunities to serve clients with an integrated approach, equipped for the challenges of innovation.
With this transaction, Excellera exceeds EUR 80 million in revenues and reaches more than 400 professionals across 15 offices worldwide. Fourtold will be led by Partners Matthew Willis and Nicola Scocchi, who are reinvesting the majority of the proceeds in the Group and will contribute to Excellera’s growth. Deborah Parriss, principal founder of the firm, will remain part of Fourtold, continuing to contribute her expertise and experience to the business.
Paolo Zanetto, CEO of Excellera, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Fourtold to the Group. Brussels is where Europe’s regulatory framework is shaped: a critical hub for companies and associations across every sector of the economy. With Fourtold, we strengthen our ability to help clients understand that framework and contribute to the debate that shapes it, working in constant connection between Brussels and national capitals. The team brings further knowledge of the EU institutions and the ability to build consensus through advocacy and campaigning. This is a concrete step in our model of Corporate Affairs as corporate diplomacy, bringing together an understanding of the political context and our clients’ business objectives.”
Matthew Willis, Founding Partner & CEO, and Nicola Scocchi, Partner and Head of Brussels Office of Fourtold, added: “We are proud to have built Fourtold as one of the strongest independent firms in the Brussels market. Joining Excellera represents an ambitious and exciting next step: it gives us the opportunity to take Fourtold into its next phase with greater pace, reach and ambition, while becoming part of a distinctive, fast-growing group that shares our values and commitment to excellence. For our people and our clients, that creates significant new opportunities.”
Deborah Parriss, Principal Founder of Fourtold, added: “Building this company has been an amazing journey. This milestone today is testament to the dedication of our team and the trust of our clients. As we enter this new chapter I am immensely proud of what we have achieved, and I have confidence that the business is in the best possible hands to accelerate growth and exceed the expectations of clients and staff. ”
Excellera was advised by A&O Shearman and PedersoliGattai on legal matters, Alvarez & Marsal on financial and tax due diligence, and Fineurop Soditic as financial advisor on the transaction. Fourtold was advised by Osborne Clarke on legal matters, Calculo Tax Audit Limited on tax due diligence, and Sue Couldery and Waypoint as financial advisors on the transaction.