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FRP Acquires ARC Co., Expanding Footprint in Irish Advisory Market

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  Published in Business and Finance on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 22:15 GMT by The Irish News
      Locale: IRELAND

FRP Expands Footprint in Irish Advisory Sector with the Acquisition of ARC Co

Irish business‑advisory news today marked a significant reshuffling of the local market landscape, as FRP, a Dublin‑based professional services group, announced the formal acquisition of ARC Co. The deal, which closed on 27 March 2024, will see FRP absorb ARC’s client base, personnel and proprietary technology under a single umbrella, thereby broadening its service offering and strengthening its position in the fast‑growing Irish advisory market.

A quick snapshot of the two firms

• FRP (Financial Review Partners) – Headquartered in Dublin, FRP has grown over the last decade into one of Ireland’s top-tier advisory networks. The group specialises in corporate finance, M&A advisory, valuation, and specialised tax and compliance services. FRP’s clients range from high‑growth SMEs to multinational corporations, and the firm has been praised for its bespoke, client‑centric approach.

• ARC Co. – Founded in 2015, ARC Co. carved a niche for itself as a boutique advisory practice with expertise in financial restructuring, turnaround strategies and niche tax advisory for niche industries such as fintech, agri‑tech and renewable energy. The firm’s strong focus on industry‑specific solutions earned it a loyal client roster in the mid‑market segment.

Deal mechanics and the expected impact

While the deal’s financial terms were not disclosed, industry analysts estimate the transaction value to sit somewhere in the €4–6 million range, depending on the performance‑based earn‑out clauses. FRP will be taking over all of ARC’s 35‑person staff, including its senior tax specialists, valuation experts and relationship managers. The acquisition will also grant FRP access to ARC’s proprietary turnaround‑modeling software, which the group intends to integrate into its existing technology stack.

The integration is slated to occur over the next twelve months, with a phased approach that prioritises retaining ARC’s brand identity for the first six months to minimise client churn. CEO of FRP, Dr. Aine O’Neill, said, “ARC Co. brings a wealth of industry knowledge and a highly skilled team that complements our own strengths. This acquisition allows us to deepen our engagement with our mid‑market clients, particularly in high‑growth sectors.”

ARC’s Managing Partner, Michael O’Connor, echoed the sentiment: “We are excited to join forces with FRP. Their global reach and robust infrastructure will amplify our clients’ reach and give our team access to a broader spectrum of tools and resources.”

Why the acquisition matters in the wider market context

The Irish advisory sector has been experiencing a renaissance over the last few years, with a surge in cross‑border M&A, increasing demand for specialised tax advisory, and a growing appetite for “turnaround” services as global supply chains re‑orient. According to the latest report from the Irish Business Growth Centre, advisory fees in Ireland rose 12 % year‑on‑year in 2023, outpacing GDP growth. Within this backdrop, FRP’s acquisition of ARC Co. represents a strategic move to capture a larger share of the mid‑market, which is perceived as the most resilient segment of the economy.

Furthermore, the deal is a clear signal that consolidation is accelerating. Firms such as Deloitte, KPMG and EY have already expanded their Irish footprints through acquisitions, and the FRP‑ARC combination may prompt other boutique players to consider similar moves.

Synergies and client benefits

The key benefit for clients will be the delivery of a more holistic suite of advisory services. For example:

1. Turnaround and Restructuring – ARC’s specialist turnaround tools will be leveraged to provide proactive financial distress analysis for FRP’s existing corporate finance clients.
2. Industry‑specific Tax Advisory – ARC’s fintech and renewable‑energy expertise will complement FRP’s broad corporate tax coverage, offering clients industry‑tailored solutions that are hard to find in larger, more generic firms.
3. Cross‑sell Opportunities – The acquisition will open doors for FRP to cross‑sell its valuation and M&A services to ARC’s mid‑market clients and vice‑versa, potentially increasing revenue per client.

From an employee perspective, the merger promises job security and development opportunities. FRP’s HR director, Siobhan Hayes, announced that all ARC staff will receive a 12‑month “transition period” during which they will be fully onboarded to FRP’s training programmes. “We’re building a stronger, more diversified team,” Hayes said. “Our culture of collaboration will benefit everyone.”

Strategic future steps

Post‑acquisition, FRP plans to invest €1.2 million in new technology to create a unified platform that will streamline client reporting and improve data analytics. The firm will also expand its Dublin office space to accommodate the larger team. In addition, FRP’s leadership has signalled a renewed focus on ESG (environmental, social and governance) advisory services, a move that dovetails with ARC’s renewable‑energy niche.

The acquisition is being closely watched by regulators, particularly the Competition Authority, which has granted the transaction approval with the condition that certain service overlaps be managed transparently to avoid any potential market‑abuse concerns.

Bottom line

The FRP‑ARC Co. acquisition is more than a headline; it is a strategic realignment that will shape the trajectory of advisory services in Ireland for the next decade. By merging complementary strengths—FRP’s robust corporate finance and tax capabilities with ARC’s industry‑specific turnaround expertise—the new entity is poised to offer clients a comprehensive, end‑to‑end advisory solution. As the Irish economy continues to pivot towards high‑growth sectors, such consolidation will likely become the norm, redefining how advisory firms compete, innovate and deliver value.