CubeMatch, which serves a number of blue-chip clients in the banking and financial services industry, has secured an initial shareholding in DVCP, with a full acquisition expected to complete by the end of 2026.

This is CubeMatch’s second strategic acquisition this year and represents a major expansion of the firm’s presence within the UK financial services sector.

Headquartered in Dublin, CubeMatch is an award-winning employer with ambitious plans to grow its existing footprint in the UK, Benelux, Germany, Singapore and India.

Founded in 2020 by seasoned C-suite professionals Mhairi Kennedy and Tom Saunders – who were joined in 2021 by transformation professional David Campbell – DVCP specialises in financial services transformation, technology strategy and programme assurance.

In 2023, the firm gained recognition for its work on the first solvent wind-down of a UK bank, devising and executing Masthaven Bank’s withdrawal from the UK market. Recent engagements include programme assurance for UK building societies and support to another solvent wind-down currently underway in the UK banking sector.

CubeMatch sees significant opportunities for growth arising from market trends in financial services globally. Consolidation in the banking sector, complex and shifting regulatory requirements, data and AI adoption, and the need to implement major digital transformation programmes, are all driving demand from financial services firms for expert advice and delivery support.

In April this year, CubeMatch complemented its existing European presence in Dublin, London and Amsterdam with the acquisition of German consultancy, BGK. That created significant opportunities for CubeMatch in the ‘DACH’ region – Germany, Austria, and Switzerland – building on BGK’s 30-year track record of managing digital transformation on behalf of European financial services firms in those countries.

The UK is a priority market for CubeMatch, with an established office in London and plans underway to expand into the Midlands and Scotland, reinforcing its position as a challenger brand in the sector. The DVCP tie-up is CubeMatch’s second acquisition in the UK, having acquired the London firm Bishopsgate Financial in 2021. The deal will complete on a phased basis over the next 18 months.

Tom Melville, chief executive officer of CubeMatch, said: “Our partnership with DVCP marks a significant step forward in our UK growth strategy. By bringing together DVCP’s respected team of specialists and our own expertise, we are uniquely positioned to help clients tackle the most complex technology and regulatory challenges in financial services.

“We have a strong balance sheet and are well positioned to deliver on our strategy, delivering agile, expert-led transformation and innovation to clients globally, while continuing to seek additional acquisitions throughout this year.”

Tom Saunders, CEO and co-founder of DVCP, said: “Culturally and operationally, CubeMatch is an ideal partner for DVCP. Our shared values, collaborative approach, and commitment to delivering great client service make this a natural fit.

“We’ve always had exceptional capability. Partnering with CubeMatch extends and strengthens the range of services we offer. We are excited that we’ll be able to offer our clients comprehensive support in design and execution of transformations and programme assurance.”