PRESS RELEASE
Acquisition of Schickler Consulting is a next growth step into the German market for Highberg Group
Amsterdam, 15 February 2022 – Through the acquisition of consulting agency Schickler Unternehmensberatung in Hamburg, the Highberg Group takes an important step in the German speaking market. Schickler will add new capabilities in the field of strategic- and data based consulting as well as data science subscription services to the consulting group. With this addition the Highberg Group continues its journey of becoming a European leader in digital transformation.
The Highberg Group is the new collective name of consulting agencies BlinkLane Consulting, Gladwell Academy, Verdonck Klooster & Associates and House of Performance. The four agencies joined forces in 2021, with the support of the mutual shareholder AUCTUS Capital Partners of Munich Germany.
Schickler is widely recognized as the leading consulting firm in the media market in Germany, Switzerland and Austria and offers strategic consulting services and insights based on a data science approach. The firm employs over 25 specialized consultants who combine innovative, forward-looking concepts with a down-to-earth attitude.
After the addition of House of Performance to the Highberg Group, the organizations will focus on digital and organizational transformations in large European businesses. Through advice, training and implementation support in fields such as organizational agility, digital optimization and sustainability, Highberg aspires to help businesses stay responsive and competitive in a digital era.
Han Driessen, CEO of the Highberg Group: ‘With their unique capabilities in consulting based on data, and their strong focus on the media industry, Schickler will add a critical capability to the service portfolio of our group. With their knowledge and skills we are able to support our clients even more in their quest to transform into digital and sustainable organizations’
After the addition of Schickler to the Highberg Group, the organization will continue to focus on digital and organizational transformations in large European businesses. Through advice, training and implementation support in fields such as organizational agility, digital optimization, data science and sustainability, Highberg aspires to help businesses stay responsive and competitive in a digital era.
Alexander Kahlmann, partner at Schickler: ‘Schickler has been a household name in the European media and publishing market. Now that we joined forces with Highberg we can expand our data services beyond the borders of our current target market without jeopardizing our entrepreneurial approach and strong existing client relationships. Next to that the group helps us moving into further European media markets, an ambition that we have had for a while’
Through the acquisition of Schickler, the Highberg Group now is comprised of more than 325 specialist professionals in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and India. The group’s annual turnover amounts to approx. EUR 65 million.
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Note to editors:
For more information, please contact Han Driessen of the Highberg Groep via han.driessen@blinklane.com and +31 (0)6-53520837.
About BlinkLane and Gladwell
BlinkLane and Gladwell Academy help companies throughout the world to remain relevant and competitive in a substantially changing and increasingly digitizing environment. Ever since its establishment in 2007, the group has grown into one of the leading players in the field of consulting and training where organizational transformations and innovation management are concerned.
About VKA
Verdonck, Klooster & Associates has assisted companies and governments with digital transformations and the associated strategic ICT and organizational issues for more than 35 years. VKA is a leading agency within the public sector, partly due to the fact that more than one hundred government organizations have selected VKA as preferred supplier via an EU tender.
About House of Performance
Ever since its establishment in 1998, House of Performance (HofP) advises and supports organizations wherever it can, and will confront, wherever needed. HofP wishes to make organizations and people excel in the field of digital, sustainability and organizational transformations. We attend to our customers with consultancy and interim services in conjunction with a scalable, digital transformation platform.
About Schickler Unternehmungsberatung
Schickler is the leading consultancy for the media industry in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, with over 1.000 projects in Europe, Near / Middle East and Americas. We develop strategies, organizations and technology for publishers, TV / radio groups, social media specialists, trade fair companies and marketers. Our unique AI/data science knowhow allows us among others to operate the largest data intelligence network for digital publishers in Europe. Schickler was elected best consulting agency by the media sector for the last five years.
About Auctus Capital Partners
Auctus Capital Partners AG is a private equity business, located in Munich. The company manages a portfolio of approx. EUR 500 million, spread over 27 investments in various sectors across various geographical markets. With more than 240 investments in the past years, Auctus can be regarded as one of the most active funds in Europe.