RICHARD BAKER
Managing Partner
Lanner has subsequently been acquired by independent international engineering, design and project management consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV.
The acquisition supports Royal HaskoningDHV’s strategy to offer services in which its extensive engineering and consultancy knowledge is combined with data-driven and technology-based solutions.
A team from Acuity, led by Richard Baker, undertook a strategic review for Lanner and their institutional shareholders focused on exploring various strategic opportunities as Lanner considered the optimal partner for the next stage of their evolution.
Lanner is a UK-based hybrid software & consultancy firm specialising in predictive simulation for industrial clients. Lanner’s simulation software (WITNESS) connects physical assets, processes and resources into a single digital model that delivers actionable insights to make business operations and supply chains more resilient and efficient. Lanner’s software tools enable the creation of digital twins, fundamental to key technology trends such as Internet of Things and Industry 4.0.
David Jones, CEO of Lanner, commented:
“Acuity supported us in understanding better, the value that we can bring to a selection of potential targets and identify the right future partners to take the Lanner business forward, either through strategic partnering or through possible acquisition. The Acuity team gave us a reality check and an independent understanding and view, outside-in, that helped us understand the right path forward for this very strong and unique capability company, Lanner, now a Royal HaskoningDHV company.”
Richard Baker, Managing Partner at Acuity, said:
“We enjoyed our work with David, Andrew, Chris and the team and are pleased that the outcome of our review informed key stakeholders in their strategic decision making. It is pleasing to see that Lanner has been acquired by Royal HaskoningDHV. We wish the Lanner team every success in integrating their predictive simulation and digital twin tools with Royal HaskoningDHV’s wider offering to industrial clients.”
“Acuity supported us in understanding better, the value that we can bring to a selection of potential targets and identify the right future partners to take the Lanner business forward, either through strategic partnering or through possible acquisition. The Acuity team gave us a reality check and an independent understanding and view, outside-in, that helped us understand the right path forward for this very strong and unique capability company, Lanner, now a Royal Haskoning DHV company.”
DAVID JONES | CEO
Lanner Group
Richard is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Acuity Advisors with 25 years’ experience in all aspects of corporate finance.
Having held influential leadership, corporate development and consulting roles at JPMorgan, Monitor and Diageo plc, Richard has had great insight into the world’s most successful businesses. He has extensive experience working alongside investment banks on M&A transactions across the technology sector and has deep-rooted longstanding relationships with many venture capital and private equity investors.
Richard has been instrumental in building Acuity’s Deep Tech Practice which, along with our successes in the semiconductor sector, has firmly established Acuity as the most successful Deep Tech mid-market advisor. With many notable funding and exit mandates completed, clients have come to rely on Richard’s sector insight to help shape and deliver shareholder value.
Insight is one of Richard’s notable strengths. He very quickly grasps what drives a company’s bottom line and growth, an understanding that’s bolstered by his personal experience of running and then exiting his own business. Richard easily builds strong working relationships with potential buyers and has a keen and intuitive sense for what motivates them.
Since securing a first class degree in Economics with Statistics, Richard has worked extensively in Europe, the US and Asia, creating an enviable and comprehensive international network.