Centerstone Capital buys major stake in Canberra consultancy Synergy Group
What's the deal? Synergy GroupDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has sold a major stake to private equity firm Centerstone CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. The public sector consultancy aims to use the investment to accelerate growth and build out its technology capabilities. Terms were not disclosed.
Who's involved? Founded in 1999 and based in Canberra, Synergy has grown to around 400 professionals with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Centerstone was founded in Sydney in 2021 by DeloitteDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →'s former global chief strategy officer John Meacock and managing director Luc Maasdorp, and backs high-growth technology startups within professional services.
What's the endgame? Meacock said Centerstone sees "a significant opportunity to build on Synergy Group's strong foundations and create a truly technology, data and AI-enabled consulting firm for the Australian market." He will become executive chair. Synergy declared in 2024 its ambition to become Australia's leading advisory within a decade.
What changes? Synergy already runs a digital transformation practice and in 2024 bolstered its enterprise resource planning (ERP) capabilities. It supports government and defence clients across program delivery, change management, risk advisory, and managed services, including through ThinkPlaceDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →'s Australian branch, acquired in 2024.
What they're saying: "Synergy Group is proud of its history in offering the Australian market an alternative to traditional professional services firms," said co-founder and chief growth officer Rob Kennedy. He added that Centerstone brings "the capital and capability to help us continue delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients while building for the future."
The signal: The deal reflects private equity's push into professional services, where investors are betting that embedding technology and AI into consulting can differentiate mid-sized firms from the incumbents. Centerstone's backers include former Deloitte, EY, and Boston Consulting Group leaders — a bench aimed at reshaping how Synergy competes.
Read more: Consultancy.com.au
