Mercer buys German HR consultancy hkp///group

Mercer has acquired hkp///group, a Germany human resources and corporate governance consulting firm with around 100 staff.

Founded in 2011, hkp///group has since its inception grown into one of Germany’s leading HR consulting firms. The firm advises on topics such as talent, compensation & benefits, HR processes, and digital transformation. Its corporate governance arm, which builds on the acquisition of the European Center for Board Effectiveness in 2023, advises supervisory boards on the design of governance systems and executive compensation.

As part of the deal, more than 100 hkp///group employees in Germany (Frankfurt) and the Netherlands (Amsterdam) will join Mercer, the HR consulting business of Marsh McLennan (also the parent of Oliver Wyman, Marsh, and Guy Carpenter).

Martin Haep, President of Mercer in Germany, said: “hkp///group is widely recognized in the market for its outstanding expertise and consulting skills. The acquisition will enable our clients to access even more comprehensive solutions from leading experts in the field. We look forward to solving the complex challenges faced by HR and business leaders together.”

The Founder and CEO of hkp///group, Michael Kramarsch, said that the firm is delighted to join forces with one of the world’s largest players in its landscape. “This acquisition will position us as the leading people advisor in Germany. As a result, it will enable us to more effectively support our clients globally and create opportunities for our employees through our shared cultural values of performance, professionalism and innovation.”

Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed. For Mercer, the deal is its first in Germany since the 2018 acquisition of Promerit, but second in a few months – this summer Mercer bought pensions consultancy Cardano.