LRQA completes acquisition of ELEVATE – creating a powerful new offering in data-driven ESG assurance
LRQA has formally completed its acquisition of ELEVATE, in a move designed to meet the fast-growing need for more transparent and technology-led Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) due diligence and assurance solutions.
As innovators in their respective market segments, LRQA will now combine its experience as a leading, global provider of environmental assurance and verification services with ELEVATE’s unrivalled expertise in ESG and supply chains. Through their complementary product portfolios and geographic footprints, LRQA and ELEVATE will offer an enhanced range of data-driven solutions to help clients thrive in a complex and fast-changing risk landscape.
ELEVATE’s success is the result of its world-class end-to-end ESG service ecosystem, built on the strong foundations of on-the-ground assessment, advisory, program management and analytics. This service ecosystem evolves the prevailing one-size-fits-all audit paradigm to one that is better designed to reflect the unique due diligence needs of a client and its sourcing structure.
Paul Butcher, CEO for LRQA, said:
“Assurance is evolving, both in response to the events of the past two years and the cast-iron certainty of further, rapid change in the future. Our entire focus in bringing LRQA and ELEVATE together is to help our clients take control, manage risk and face that future with confidence. We are committed to transforming the value that assurance delivers for our clients and this partnership with ELEVATE will take us further and faster towards that goal in the critical ESG space.”
Ian Spaulding, CEO for ELEVATE, added:
“Formalising the partnership between LRQA and ELEVATE is an important milestone for our industry, for ELEVATE, for our people, and for our customers. This combined business will deliver enhanced supply chain ESG due diligence solutions that are data-driven and reinforced by the highest quality of on-the-ground assessment and advisory expertise. We look forward to leading this next era of ESG together.”
The acquisition was announced in January 2022 and with the deal complete and regulatory approvals in place, LRQA and ELEVATE clients across a broad range of sectors will now benefit from access to a comprehensive set of services across certification, verification, data-driven insight and analytics, cybersecurity, inspection, training and verification.
About LRQA
LRQA is a leading global assurance provider, bringing together decades of expertise in brand assurance, certification, cybersecurity, inspection and training, to help its clients negotiate a rapidly changing risk landscape.
Operating in more than 160 countries and recognised by over 30 accreditation bodies worldwide, LRQA covers almost every sector, and prides itself on the highest standards of quality and innovation as it helps clients to manage risk across the entire supply chain, drive operational improvements and build credibility with stakeholders.
About ELEVATE
ELEVATE is an industry leader in sustainability and supply chain services globally, with more than 17 years’ expertise in designing, building and managing data-driven, sustainability linked programs that drive positive impact. ELEVATE’s business-minded perspective and relentless focus on transparency, innovation, sustainability and measurable impact delivers lasting positive change for companies, brands and retailers, suppliers, factories and workers.
Having built an extensive global portfolio of clients, including corporates with international supply chains, suppliers, investors and banks, industry coalitions, NGOs and governments, and an operating footprint across 100 countries, ELEVATE currently conducts over 20,000 assessments and audits per year, to the highest standards of quality and integrity.
Media Contacts
For LRQA
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- Alex Briggs, Head of Brand and Communications
For ELEVATE
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- Kevin Franklin, Chief Product Officer
kfranklin@staging12.elevatelimited.com