Deloitte Canada buys economic development specialist MDB Insight
Deloitte has acquired MDB Insight, a Toronto-based consulting firm specializing in economic and workforce development.
Founded in 2007, MDB Insight provides full-service market research and analytics, consulting, and actionable plans for economic and workforce development. MDB’s areas of expertise include investment attraction, community development and engagement, and municipal research.
The firm – which has more than 20 employees according to LinkedIn – has in the last two years worked on numerous projects related to Covid-19 economic recovery. MDB supports public sector clients, including municipalities, as well as mid-market corporate clients.
Deloitte will roll MDB into its economic advisory team within its financial advisory practice. EVPs Paul Blais, Trudy Parsons, and Chris Bandak will join Deloitte as managing directors.
“It's clear the MDB Insight team is a highly valuable addition to our firm, especially when considering the need to rebuild our local and provincial economies post-pandemic, and their experience and relationships with the public sector and municipal clients,” said Anthony Viel, CEO of Deloitte Canada. “This acquisition further strengthens our position as the preeminent economic advisory firm in Canada and our clients stand to benefit from our increasingly comprehensive economic and policy capabilities."
The deal follows a number digital-focused acquisitions, including SAP specialists Ouest Business Solutions and Clockwork Inc., and data firms Dataperformers and Groundswell.
"We are so excited for the opportunity to work with Deloitte's economic advisory practice to support businesses and policymakers as they navigate complex, rapidly changing environments,” Blais said. “By combining our experience in strategic planning, market research, and workforce development with Deloitte's robust economics and policy knowledge, we know we can address critical business and policy challenges to foster long-term economic prosperity."
