Brakke Consulting acquired by Switzerland-based Stonehaven

The merger of two major players in animal health consulting-Stonehaven Consulting, headquartered in Switzerland, and US-based Brakke Consulting-has created an industry presence with transatlantic reach and expertise, according to an announcement from both firms.

Stonehaven, founded in 2015 by George Gunn, BVMS, MRCVS, has spent the last few years building an experienced team in Europe and expanding its client base of life science companies, the release notes. The acquisition of Brakke means it will be able to expand that expertise across both Europe and the United States.

“We're excited about this merger for several reasons,” says senior Brakke analyst John Volk, a frequent contributor to dvm360 and speaker at the Fetch dvm360 conferences. “First, it expands the global footprint of Stonehaven and Brakke. Second, the consulting focus of the two companies is highly complementary. And third, it provides continuity for Brakke Consulting when Ron Brakke decides to retire from the firm he established more than 30 years ago.”

Ron Brakke will continue to manage US operations for at least a year after the merger, sources say. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first quarter.

“I'm personally excited because I've known George Gunn for many years and have worked with him in the past,” Volk continues. Dr. Gunn has held CEO-level positions in several companies, most recently Novartis Consumer and Novartis Animal Health. “A veterinarian, he is one of the brightest, most strategic executives in the animal health industry. I look forward to joining forces with the highly capable Stonehaven team.”

The aim is to integrate all current Brakke consultants into Stonehaven's international operations in the coming months and to expand current US studies and consulting projects into international markets served by Stonehaven, the release states.

“The combination of the two companies is a perfect fit,” says Ron Brakke. “This will greatly increase the capacity and capability of both firms and result in expanded services and geographical support for our clients. It will create a critical mass in areas of market studies, general consulting, executive search and other consulting services that will be hard for others to match.

“I am looking forward to helping Stonehaven become the leading consultancy in animal health around the world, and I am thrilled to be part of that vision,” he says.