The Adecco Group announced today that LHH, its outplacement and HR consulting division, will become its global brand for talent solutions activities. The global staffing giant is also exploring the possible divesture of it US legal business and is acquiring an HR consulting services provider in France.

Adecco’s talent solutions’ brand portfolio will move to one global brand from nine, leveraging LHH as the worldwide lead brand for fully integrated HR services. Going forward, the majority of assets within the Talent Solutions unit will operate under the LHH brand, which will streamline its operating model, establishing solutions-based business lines and global centers of excellence in order to deliver a simplified and improved customer experience, according to Adecco.

Talent Solutions was established by Adecco as a new global business unit in January; in 2020, the businesses that comprise the Talent Solutions unit delivered revenue of €1.7 billion. The Adecco Group said the simplified global business unit will bring together its assets under one roof – LHH – but that General Assembly and ezra (powered by LHH) will retain their brand identities.

To implement these changes, the group estimates one-time costs of €40 million to €50 million, which will be incurred mainly in 2022, as the new brand is implemented worldwide.

“With the simplification of our brand portfolio, we are positioning LHH as our worldwide lead brand for talent solutions, and in transforming its operating model, we will drive a superior customer experience,” said Adecco Group CEO Alain Dehaze. “A unified and well recognized global brand will amplify growth and profitability in LHH and strengthen our leadership in the HR services market.”

Adecco stated that it anticipates a meaningful uplift in revenue, mainly from increased leads and conversion ratios when operating as one under the LHH brand, supported by strong data analytics and diagnostics. Profitability is also expected to improve due to more cost-effective brand investment.

The company is also evaluating strategic alternatives for its US based Legal Solutions business, which may include a sale of the business. “If divested, the sale will sharpen the focus of the LHH portfolio, adding further momentum to its transformation,” Adecco stated.

BPI Group acquisition. In addition, Adecco stated that LHH will strengthen advisory capabilities through the planned acquisition of BPI Group, the third-largest HR consulting services provider in France with approximately €40 million in revenue and 300 employees. The acquisition also delivers access to markets LHH France has historically been less active in.

LHH France has entered into exclusive negotiations with Perceva, an independent investment company, to acquire the company. The acquisition is anticipated to close in the fourth quarter; financial terms were not disclosed.