ERM, the world’s leading sustainability consultancy, has completed the acquisition of BrownFlynn Ltd (BrownFlynn). BrownFlynn is the leading U.S. corporate sustainability and governance consulting business based in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Established in 1996, BrownFlynn advises Fortune 500 and privately held businesses on all aspects of corporate sustainability advisory services, setting strategy, helping them navigate reporting frameworks and ratings, undertaking materiality assessments and setting bold goals and KPIs, communicating progress through design and storytelling and monitoring environmental, social and governance (ESG) trends. Further, BrownFlynn is a pioneer in integrated reporting and the first U.S. certified Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) trainer. The firm has developed proprietary tools to support their clients’ assessment processes, reporting and engagement with stakeholders, providing the capability to deliver on the full life cycle of client needs.

ERM is building the leading position in the corporate sustainability and governance consulting market, combining commercial acumen, technical expertise and deep understanding of societal pressures to respond to client, investor and stakeholder needs. With the acquisition of BrownFlynn, ERM strengthens its U.S. presence to a global capability as it partners with the key international standard bodies, industry organizations and investor groups. This acquisition also complements ERM’s strengths in data management and technical solutions in addressing the sustainability challenges facing companies and stakeholders today.

“With BrownFlynn joining the ERM Group, we further establish our full life cycle set of offerings to our clients in the sustainability advisory arena,” explained Keryn James, ERM’s CEO. “As the market for sustainability and governance consulting matures, ERM is now well advanced in building the leading position. BrownFlynn is a market pioneer and for over 20 years has established an impressive business in the U.S. ERM is glad to continue this journey together with their fantastic leadership and team.”