ESG Assurance: LRQA to acquire Australasian supply chain specialist, 'SAS'

The acquisition will further strengthen LRQA’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) assurance proposition to meet the rising demand for data-driven ESG supply chain assurance solutions.

This is LRQA’s third acquisition as an independent business, following the acquisition of Hong Kong-based ESG assurance specialist, ELEVATE, in January 2022, and Singapore-based cybersecurity consultancy, ATvanGarde, in August 2022.

The acquisition of SAS demonstrates LRQA’s steadfast commitment to its growth strategy, and specifically its expansion in Asia-Pacific and ESG assurance, both organically and through mergers and acquisitions.

SAS provides valuable services to a number of high-profile clients, including audits for SEDEX, the ethical supply chain trade membership organisation, and Fair Farms, an industry-led initiative aimed at fostering fair and responsible employment practices in Australian horticulture.

SAS and LRQA’s complementary product portfolios and geographic footprints will offer an enhanced range of risk management solutions to meet the fast-growing need for more transparent and technology-led ESG solutions, bridging gaps in clients’ processes, policies and procedures with sustainable best practice.

Arta Beikzadeh, who founded SAS in 2019 to address the need for high quality, customer-focused and responsive ESG assurance in the fast-growing Australasian market, said:

“Ethical sourcing and corporate social responsibility remain top priorities for global supply chains, especially given the current climate. Businesses cannot afford to abandon their legal requirements or moral obligations, for the sake of their brand, their operations, or their reputations. That’s why the planned acquisition of SAS by LRQA is such a positive development for the assurance industry and Australasian market. We’ll be able to connect clients across international borders, offering global support with local expertise, and help businesses excel in the ESG space.”

Paul Butcher, Chief Executive Officer for LRQA, said:

“ESG solutions are clearly a critical component of risk management for our clients today, as we continue to see demand rise globally. LRQA’s acquisition of SAS therefore aims to address that need, support growth in the Australasian market, and empower clients to take control and face their futures with confidence. Above all and regardless of industry, sector or country, this acquisition is about transforming the value that assurance can offer clients. 2022 has been a milestone year for LRQA as an independent business, and we continue to actively pursue opportunities to accelerate our growth strategy and evolve our offering for clients through further acquisitions.”

LRQA and SAS will now work together to formalise the partnership and seek completion of the acquisition in the coming weeks. Find out more about LRQA’s ESG solutions.