ERM has completed the acquisition of Kathy Jones and Associates Pty Ltd (KJA). KJA is recognized as one of Australia’s leading specialist stakeholder engagement and communication consultancies, with offices in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. 

“Bringing KJA into the ERM Group combines the leading communications and stakeholder engagement capability in Australia together with the market’s premier environmental, health and safety provider,” explains Keryn James, ERM’s CEO. “Both KJA and ERM’s clients are conscious of the need to engage effectively with communities and stakeholders as part of the successful implementation of business strategies and large capital projects. ERM is now well advanced in building the leading position in this area. KJA has established an impressive business in Australia and we look forward to introducing their specialist expertise to our current and future clients around the globe.” 

Kathy Jones, founder and Executive Chair of KJA, said, “Becoming part of the ERM Group provides KJA with the opportunity for geographical expansion and the scale to support our growth ambitions. I’m proud of what the KJA team have achieved over nearly two decades. I am excited for us to be working closely with ERM to maximize the synergies of our specialist teams to continue to deliver great outcomes for our clients. ”

Established in 2001, KJA provides strategic stakeholder engagement and communication services to a diverse range of clients and projects. KJA facilitates strong engagement between clients and their stakeholders and communities, anticipating and mitigating project risk and enhancing clients’ social license to operate. KJA is known for supporting high-profile projects and clients across the transport, planning, construction, infrastructure, energy, environment, education, and health sectors at all levels of government, private and not-for-profit organizations.

Over the past 20 years, KJA has specialized in stakeholder engagement across all stages of multi-billion dollar infrastructure and urban regeneration projects, such as the new Sydney Metro, the Northern Beaches Hospital, and the Barangaroo Precinct on Sydney Harbour. Other smaller, but no less significant projects, include the 270km Broken Hill water pipeline and redevelopment projects at Australia’s major Universities and Airports. KJA also design and deliver innovative stakeholder engagement techniques to inform government policy for clients such as Victoria Police, NSW Health, the Greater Sydney Commission and local governments across NSW and Victoria.

ERM is building the leading position in the corporate sustainability and social performance consulting market, combining commercial acumen, technical expertise and deep understanding of societal pressures to respond to client, investor and stakeholder needs. The acquisition of KJA enhances ERM’s offering on complex projects and its ability to identify and engage stakeholders on large projects from the early stages through the entire project life cycle. It also provides ERM additional access to the buoyant government sector in Australia and complements the 2017 acquisition of Pacific Environment, which also has a background in major infrastructure projects. ERM provides KJA with geographical expansion, deeper involvement in the resources sector, more opportunities to innovate and the infrastructure to support its growth.