Towers Watson, a global professional services company, has acquired Saville Consulting, an international psychometric assessment business, for GBP42 million ($64.8million).

Dr Ahmad Waarie, Towers Watson Middle East’s managing director, said: “With the growing demand on leadership and talent assessment in the Gulf region, the addition of Saville Consulting’s market-leading online assessment tools to our suite of HR software, data, analytics and advice gives us a powerful offering to address the big and growing area of leadership and talent.”

“Saville Consulting’s portfolio adds online tools which test ability, assess potential and screen for behavioural strengths. In combination with our engagement and talent software, we can readily help companies that want efficient, technology-enabled solutions to identify and develop talent,” he added.

Founded in 2004, Saville Consulting is highly regarded internationally for its occupational psychology expertise and proprietary software, which help organisations recruit and develop talented individuals and teams. Its online assessment tools, which have been rated as the most valid indicator of potential and fit, are used in over 80 countries worldwide.

Saville Consulting’s revenues for its financial year ending December 2015 are expected to be in excess of GBP10 million ($15.4 million).

Peter Saville, chairman and founder of Saville Consulting, said: “Saville Consulting has grown rapidly during the past decade to a point where over two million individuals used our online tools in the past 12 months. To further accelerate our growth and significantly extend the use of our tools, we need greater reach, which we will gain as being part of Towers Watson. In addition, Towers Watson and Saville Consulting complement each other strategically, and I’m confident that our clients will experience the same commitment to excellence and innovation.”

Saville Consulting will operate its business as usual for the foreseeable future to preserve continuity of client teams and services.

Julie Gebauer, global leader for Towers Watson’s Talent and Rewards business segment, added: “While we will ensure that our clients receive seamless service, we will also focus on opportunities to leverage the resources and expertise of the combined organisations to develop new products and services that help our clients build strong leadership and talent.” – TradeArabia News Service