Yonder enters Singapore market with Chapter & Verse acquisition

UK-headquartered consultancy Yonder has expanded its presence in Asia Pacific with the acquisition of Chapter & Verse, a Singapore-based consultancy specialised in branding and design services.

Hot on the heels of announcing its 20% growth rate in its 2022 financial year, London-based Yonder has doubled down on its international expansions with its first acquisition outside of the United Kingdom.

Yonder launched in 2020 through the merger between four specialist businesses, and has since expanded organically from its post-merger size of 150 employees to its current size of around 200 staff – consultants, researchers, data analysts, strategists, creatives and innovators.

Manfred Abraham, co-CEO of Yonder, said that the move into Singapore comes in response to “increasing client demand” and “very interesting opportunities for future growth.”

“Southeast Asia is an extremely dynamic and entrepreneurial region. The fast-growing economy means interesting opportunities are being created across many sectors perfectly aligned with what we do. We truly believe that there is no other firm that can deliver what we can – Yonder’s blend of insight, strategy, and imagination we bring to our clients is really resonating with clients and delivering incredible results,” Abraham said.

Across its four offices, Yonder works for some of the world’s most iconic brands, including BT, BBC, Costa Coffee, The Premier League, Centrica, and M&S in home market the UK, as well as the likes of Christies, Cognizant, Fuin, Oriental Bank, Radisson Hotel Group, Randstad, and Ralph Lauren in its international markets.

“The Chapter & Verse team sets us up well to respond to the increasing demand for the blend of insight, strategy, and imagination services,” said the co-CEO (the other being Michael Simmonds).

Founded in 2007 by Founder and CEO Jonathan Bernstein (formerly the Managing Director of Interbrand in Southeast Asia), Chapter & Verse focuses on three lines of business: brand development, design, and brand experience. Clients include Jardine Matherson, Barito Pacific Group, Multiverse Labs, Myanma Apex Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, SCG, and Philippine Airlines.

The deal will see Chapter & Verse rebrand as Yonder, and Bernstein tasked with delivering the firm’s growth ambitions in Singapore. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

“I’m excited to bring a new type of consultancy to the Southeast Asian market. It’s a market ready for a new approach and we’re ready to deliver,” said Bernstein, who has been based in Asia for over fifteen years.