KordaMentha acquires CharterX to boost new Technology & Data practice
Professional services firm KordaMentha has continued to diversify its offering through the launch of a new technology & data practice, bolstered by the acquisition of digital consultancy CharterX.
The new practice will be led by KordaMenthachief information officer Ryan Wadsworth together with a senior team including existing technology partners Roheena Kahn and Sharee Bartlett, and forensic data analytics expert Ron Holtshausen.
Joining them is new partner recruit Luke Halliday, the Victorian government’s inaugural CTO, along with former CharterX managing director Matthew Chessell, who established the consultancy in Melbourne in 2021 after serving as an executive at NTT Data.
Among other areas, CharterX has been providing government, higher education, and private sector clients with strategy, data, customer and employee experience, and architecture advisory and services for the past four years, capabilities which will now be transferred to KordaMentha’s newly-launched technology & data practice.
“CharterX brings enterprise architecture expertise that complements our existing services and closes a capability gap identified in our work with many clients,” commented Wadsworth, who was promoted to partner and CIO in 2022. “Combined with the exceptional talent in our newly formed team, we’re now positioned to deliver even greater impact.”
In addition to NTT, Chessell previously spent time at Oakton among other senior roles, while Kahn and Bartlett respectively joined the firm from the partnerships of Deloitte and BDO over the past twelve months. The latest recruit, Halliday, co-founded consultancy Mercury IT, and recently spent time with Accenture before being appointed Victorian Government CTO in 2022.
KordaMentha said it expects to grow the team to more than 30 professionals by the end of the financial year, with its forensic data analytics capability being rolled into the new unit to provide a comprehensive portfolio of integrated digital transformation and advanced analytics services, spanning strategy, advisory, risk management, and enterprise tech solutions.
“We’re proud to continue building a team that combines deep private and public sector experience with cutting-edge advisory capabilities,” the firm said, with Chessell adding, “CharterX is excited to join such a respected Australian brand, allowing us to offer world-leading digital transformation while working closely with other business units to enhance the client experience.”
Traditionally focused on turnaround & restructuring and performance improvement, KordaMentha has been busy diversifying its business with new lines and sector-specific expertise in recent years, including as to major projects advisory, defence & national security, and the federal public sector, the latter via an office launch in Canberra.
