Consulting firm Moore Belgium is set to become the central hub of a major European group of accountants and consultants, aiming for a turnover of €1 billion in the long term. This is reported by De Tijd following the establishment of the new group, named Auren, in which Moore Belgium will represent the Belgian contribution. The Belgian investment company Waterland plays a significant role as a co-initiator of this project, emphasizing Belgium's strategic position in the European advisory market. This initiative highlights the increasing consolidation within the services sector and the drive for economies of scale to remain internationally competitive.
What is happening
The launch of Auren is a strategic move to create a pan-European player in accountancy and consulting. The group, in which Moore Belgium collaborates with peers from five other European countries, aims to be active in over twenty countries in due course. Waterland's involvement as an investment partner guarantees the necessary financial strength and strategic guidance for this rapid expansion. This development positions Moore Belgium as a key player in a larger European network, providing access to broader markets and expertise. It exemplifies how Belgian companies are integrating into international structures to maximize their growth potential.
The role of Waterland and consolidation
Investment firm Waterland, known for its involvement in several successful consolidations across various sectors, brings its expertise to accelerate Auren's growth. This trend of consolidation has long been observed in the accountancy and consulting sector, driven by the need for specialized services, digital transformation, and internationalization. The National Bank of Belgium (NBB), in its sector reports, observes a growing demand for advisory services, stimulating such mergers and acquisitions to meet clients' complex requirements.
Background
The formation of Auren comes at a time when demand for integrated professional services, such as tax and legal advice, audit, and management consultancy, is experiencing strong growth. Companies are seeking partners who can guide them through increasingly complex regulations and rapidly changing economic landscapes. The European Parliament and the European Commission also encourage the internal market for services, fostering cross-border collaborations like Auren's. The scale Auren aims for will enable investments in innovation and technology, crucial for the sector's future.
"The integration of national expertise into a pan-European framework allows us to serve clients even better in a globalized economy," according to a spokesperson for Moore Belgium.
This strategy follows the example of other sectors where Belgian players, such as those in logistics or biotechnology, have successfully integrated into larger international structures. The presence of strong Belgian offices, like those of Moore Belgium in Antwerp, Ghent, and Brussels, provides Auren with a solid foundation in a significant European economy.
What it means for Belgium
For Belgium, Moore Belgium's central role in Auren signifies a strengthening of Belgium's position in the European advisory market. It underscores the international recognition of Belgian expertise and may attract further investment. This development could lead to new employment opportunities and expertise development within Moore's Belgian branches. Furthermore, through Auren, it offers Belgian companies access to a broader network of international expertise and contacts, which can assist them in their own cross-border ambitions. The Federal Planning Bureau has, in various analyses, highlighted the importance of the services sector to the Belgian economy, and initiatives like Auren contribute to its continued professionalization and internationalization.
