The deal is intended to expand the capacity of PwC’s existing global research to insight consulting business, as well as strengthening the national and regional reach of PwC Research – Optimisa Research has offices in London and Leeds. 

Optimisa Research has an annual turnover of around £4m and employs 45 staff, all of whom will join PwC from today (August 2 ). The new combined business will comprise more than 100 research professionals and analytics consultants in Belfast, Leeds and London. 

“Incorporating the extensive skillset of the Optimisa team with our existing business is key to differentiating our service and accelerating growth," said PwC partner and leader of PwC research, Honor Mallon (pictured). 

“We are already providing research and insight to PwC clients globally and this acquisition will expand our capacity to deliver integrated quantitative and qualitative insights to both business and consumer-facing clients. Optimisa has distinct strengths in the financial services sector – a key industry sector where we are already particularly active.

“The combined business will give us unrivalled market differentiation and allow PwC Research to provide truly connected insight to our clients. By merging our business expertise, research capability and data analytics we can provide insight that will help organisations worldwide, make better strategic decisions”.