Excellera Acquired London Firm Alma Strategic
Financial communications firms should track how this integrated partnership impacts cross-border service capabilities.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Corporate Finance
Italian parent company Excellera has acquired London-based Alma Strategic Communications to expand its footprint in financial and crisis communications. The deal creates an integrated partnership where Alma partners retain their existing strategic and operational roles.
Why it matters
The acquisition reflects a growing trend of consolidation among specialized communications firms as they seek to scale advisory services for capital markets and media relations. Operators should note how these cross-border integrations change the competitive landscape for multinational advisory support.
Excellera manages €80 million in annual revenues across 15 offices, supported by a workforce of 400 total employees and associates. The acquisition of Alma is the latest in a series of expansions for the ICG-backed group.
The players
Excellera
An Italian parent company of communications firms backed by private equity investor ICG.
Alma Strategic Communications
A London-based advisory firm specializing in financial communications, media relations, and crisis management.
ICG
An international alternative asset manager providing the private equity backing for Excellera.
The details
Excellera will fold Alma into its existing UK structure to create an integrated advisory partnership. The firm provides specialized guidance on capital markets, financial communications, and crisis management, maintaining existing leadership roles to ensure continuity for clients. Excellera previously completed acquisitions of Ad Hoc Communication Advisors and the Middle East operations of Instinctif Partners to build its current scale.
Timeline
Excellera announced the acquisition of Alma on September 23, 2026.
Market Landscape
This transaction follows the pattern of consolidation established by the firm's previous acquisitions of Ad Hoc Communication Advisors and the Middle East operations of Instinctif Partners. It signals a shift toward building international, multi-service advisory platforms in the communications sector.
Operators in the advisory space should monitor how the integration of Alma’s UK team with Excellera’s existing operations affects service pricing and regional capacity. Firms competing for international mandates should evaluate their own capacity to provide seamless cross-border communications support.
The takeaway
The move underscores the value of regional expertise when building a global financial communications practice. Firms should track whether this integrated partnership model gains market share against traditional, non-integrated global networks.
Further reading
For more on industry consolidation trends, visit our Corporate Finance section.
