FAST-growing Anthesis, the leading international sustainability consultancy, backed by Palatine since early 2021, has acquired an impact-led creative change agency, the sixth strategic deal since investment.
The latest addition to the Anthesis Group is Charlescannon, a Switzerland-headquartered business providing leading corporates with strategic communications and brand narratives. Founded in 2007 it has a team of more than 40 strategists, copywriters, designers, project managers, photographers, videographers and developers.
The acquisition comes amid a rise of regulatory and stakeholder pressures for credible communications on sustainability goals and the risks surrounding greenwashing and ESG misrepresentation.
Charlescannon’s clients range from multi-national brands such as Nestle to health-related charities, including the World Heart Day campaign, which was activated in 170 countries and 48 languages.
Stuart McLachlan, CEO of Anthesis, comments, “Organisations progressing their sustainability goals deserve to be rewarded in brand value and positive stakeholder engagement, however growing nervousness around greenwashing accusations drives reluctance to communicate.
“By blending Anthesis’ deep technical and scientific expertise with the creative and strategic approaches of the Charlescannon team, we’re providing our clients with the necessary platform to communicate confidently, delivered by one team who can guide them throughout their sustainable performance journey.”
Ben Pankhurst, Founder and CEO of Chalescannon, said, “Creativity is the catalyst that inspires the ‘doing’ in sustainability. Together, we have the potential to accelerate transformative change and make sustainable performance a habit.”
The deal further establishes Anthesis in the Swiss market and bolsters its established communications capabilities beyond impactful corporate narratives and positioning, education and stakeholder engagement strategies, and best-in-class sustainability and ESG reports.
The combined team brings Anthesis Group to 1,250 sustainability specialists with offices in 23 countries. Earlier this month Anthesis acquired global ESG advisory firm Walbrook.