Houlihan Lokey Advises Addison Group

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that Addison Group (Addison), a national leader in professional services specializing in talent solutions and consulting services, has been acquired by Trilantic North America and certain other co-investors from Odyssey Investment Partners (Odyssey). The transaction closed on December 29, 2021.

Addison Group is a leading professional services firm specializing in talent solutions and consulting services, offering a full suite of capabilities across multiple sectors, including information technology, finance and accounting, nonclinical healthcare, human resources, administrative, and digital marketing. With a growing network of companies, offices across the United States, and deep relationships in regional and local markets, Addison is one of the top talent solutions and consulting services companies in the country, providing industry-leading expertise with a national reach and a localized touch. Founded in 1999, Addison has been repeatedly recognized by the media as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States and a Best of Staffing Company by Inavero.

“Addison has consistently experienced accelerated growth, even during the pandemic. With more businesses realizing the benefits of adopting an agile workforce, we are well positioned to take full advantage of the quickly changing human capital environment,” said Thomas Moran, Chief Executive Officer of Addison Group. “Our company is in a prime position to succeed with demand for consulting services and talent solutions increasing in areas such as fintech and automation, cybersecurity, compliance, data and analytics, digital transformation, talent resources, retention, and recruiting. In partnership with Trilantic North America, we look forward to furthering our growth trajectory and continuing to create impactful relationships built on trust, commitment, and longevity with our clients, consultants, and candidates in local markets.

“Since our last partnership, Addison has continued to solidify its position as a provider and employer of choice in the large and growing professional services and talent solutions markets,” said Jeremy Lynch, Partner at Trilantic North America. “We are delighted to back this world-class team again, and to support the continued expansion of Addison’s professional services offerings, deep client relationships, and reach across local markets, during this next phase of growth.”

Even during significant national expansion, Addison has maintained a local consultative business approach dedicated to its people-first culture. Addison continues to be recognized with accolades for top performance and workplace culture, including Inc. 5000, Inc. Best Workplaces, Crain’s “Fast 50,” Staffing Industry Analysts’ Staffing 100 List, and multiple Regional Top Workplaces.

“Addison Group is a market-leading business in both the talent solutions and consulting markets with tremendous runway for continued growth,” said Jeffrey McKibben, Senior Managing Principal at Odyssey. “It has been a privilege working alongside the management team to execute on our strategic goals. We wish them continued success as they embark on the next phase of their journey.”

Odyssey Investment Partners, with offices in New York and Los Angeles, is a leading private equity investment firm a 25+ year history of partnering with skilled managers to transform middle-market companies into more efficient and diversified businesses with strong growth profiles. Odyssey makes majority-controlled investments in industries with a long-term positive outlook and favorable secular trends.

Trilantic North America is a growth-focused, middle-market private equity firm focused on control and significant minority investments in North America. Its primary investment focus is in the business services and consumer sectors. Trilantic North America has managed six private equity fund families with aggregate capital commitments of $9.7 billion. Trilantic North America has been recognized by Inc. Magazine’s 2021 list of Top Founder-Friendly Investors and has been named one of Growthcap’s 2021 Top 25 Private Equity Firms for Growth Companies.

Houlihan Lokey served as the financial advisor to Addison in connection with the transaction.

Houlihan Lokey’s Human Capital Management (HCM) team is among the most active M&A advisors in the market, having closed 14 transactions in the past 12 months and 41 transactions in the past five years. This most recent transaction further strengthens Houlihan Lokey’s leadership in the business services universe and highlights continued momentum and leadership in the HCM sector, which includes staffing, IT/professional services, recruitment, VMS, MSP, RPO, talent management, and PEO.