EXCELLERA STRENGTHENS ITS FINANCIAL COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITY WITH ALMA STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS IN THE UK

The UK's leading independent financial communications consultancy joins the Group, taking Excellera's annual revenue to approximately €80 million, with around 400 professionals across 15 offices worldwide.

MILAN and LONDON, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Excellera, a leading corporate affairs consultancy in EMEA, today announces that Alma Strategic Communications, the UK's foremost independent financial communications firm, has joined the Group. The transaction forms part of Excellera's international growth strategy, backed by ICG plc, one of the world's leading alternative asset managers.

London-based Alma advises companies and management teams through defining moments in their corporate journeys, drawing on deep expertise in financial communications and capital markets — from investor and analyst relations to communications around M&A, IPOs and capital raising. The firm also advises on corporate communications, media relations and crisis and issues management. Its team brings together professionals with backgrounds in investment banking, industry and communications, alongside an in-depth understanding of the UK financial markets.

The transaction significantly builds on Excellera's existing and growing presence in the UK, home to one of the world's principal financial centres, drawing on the firm's strong track record as an international adviser across corporate and financial communications, reputation and issues management, and its continued expansion in the market. Alma and Excellera's UK team will work in close partnership, offering clients an integrated financial and corporate communications proposition, alongside access to the Group's wider capabilities, from public affairs to data intelligence. The deal further enhances Excellera's corporate affairs offering across international markets, bringing together complementary capabilities and creating new opportunities for collaboration across the business.

Excellera now reaches approximately €80 million in revenues, with around 400 employees and associates, with a presence in 15 offices worldwide. Alma's partners will retain their operational and strategic roles within the business, reinvesting a significant portion of their proceeds in the Group.

Paolo Zanetto, CEO of Excellera, commented: "We are excited to welcome Alma's professionals to our Group. Financial communications is a business built on relationships, market knowledge and authority earned over time. With Alma, we are strengthening our presence in London — the EMEA hub for capital markets and capital markets communications, and of central importance to our clients — through a team that has advised on some of the most significant transactions of recent years. Together with the capabilities we have already built in London, through this acquisition, we are creating an outstanding corporate affairs offering, giving companies and investors access to complementary expertise and a deep understanding of both the UK and EMEA markets, within an increasingly integrated and AI-enabled Group."

Josh Royston, Founder of Alma, added: "Paolo and his team are building an extraordinary business in a clearly defined market with their success due to a relentless focus on client outcomes. We share the same cultural vision and I have no doubt that we have found the right partner to help us realise our ambitions. We have continued to invest in our capital markets advisory team and join the Group with real momentum. Becoming part of Excellera will enable us to invest further, create new opportunities for our colleagues and provide our clients with access to additional areas of expertise. We are confident that we can build on our success to date and replicate the achievements of Excellera throughout EMEA, here in London."

Excellera was advised by A&O Shearman on legal matters, Alvarez & Marsal on financial and tax due diligence, and Fineurop as financial advisor. Alma was advised by Boodle Hatfield on legal matters and by Waypoint on financial matters.

About Excellera

Excellera is a leading corporate affairs consultancy in EMEA. It advises CEOs, boards and the wider C-suite on their most complex decisions, integrating public affairs, corporate and financial communications within an AI-enabled advisory model. Founded in Italy in 2022, the Group operates across the world's principal decision-making centres — Italy, Belgium, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and the United States — with 15 offices and around 400 professionals. Since December 2025 it has been backed by ICG plc, one of the world's leading alternative asset managers, supporting its international growth and investment in innovation, data science and AI. The Group includes some of the most established names in communications and public affairs: Ad Hoc Communication Advisors, Alma Strategic Communications, Barabino & Partners, CZP & Co., Community, Excellera Intelligence, IP Excellera, Public Affairs Advisors and Value Relations.

About Alma

Alma is a leading strategic communications consultancy. Founded in 2015, the business has grown organically to become the third largest provider of communications to companies on the UK Stock Markets, with strength across multiple sectors. While each client has its own unique story to tell, Alma's role is consistent – helping them to communicate their strategy, from inception through to execution, to all of their key stakeholder groups. The team, which includes professionals with backgrounds from industry to investment banking, brings decades of experience in strategic storytelling. Alma supports a diverse client base, from FTSE 250 companies to ambitious newcomers on AIM, as well as private businesses across a wide range of sectors. Recent work has included delivering successful campaigns to support two highly successful London Main Market IPOs, Raspberry Pi and Applied Nutrition, and the largest IPO on AIM in 2025, MHA PLC.