Boosting our AI and digital capacity with Xantura acquisition

Throughout more than 20 years in business, Newton has helped shape and deliver programmes across over 100 public sector organisations, multiple defence and infrastructure organisations, and leading retail and manufacturing supply chains. As the consultancy looks to boost its holistic services around business and organisational transformation, it has added new expertise to its ranks, with the purchase of Xantura.

Founded in 2008, Xantura is a provider of data sharing and advanced analytics to the public sector. The company joins up data across public services to help organisations and systems deeply understand the individual needs of the people they serve. This helps clients identify where early and targeted interventions to their residents can prevent, reduce, and delay demand for formal public services – complementing Newton’s expertise in taking a resident and outcome centred approach.

At the same time, Xantura is a leader in using artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to enable public services to better understand and support the needs of residents and communities. Building on Newton’s existing strength in the strategic use of digital and AI to achieve greater value from public services, the acquisition will therefore create a more powerful combination of capabilities, underpinned by a shared vision for world class public services.

Steve Philips, Newton’s managing partner, said, “I am very excited about being able to deliver greater impact for our public sector clients, and the people they serve, by combining Newton’s expertise and capabilities with Xantura’s. Xantura’s digital technology and advanced data analytics will bolster our own, and will help us in our mission to support public services achieve brilliant outcomes for the people they serve while making best use of scarce public sector resources.”

Newton and Xantura have already worked in partnership on client engagements. For example, in one local authority they built a data platform and used predictive analytics and AI to identify older residents at risk of a fall, then designed and delivered a new operating model to put in place proactive interventions to target these individuals and reduce the number of falls. Looking ahead, Xantura will merge its offerings and work as part of an embedded and integrated Newton team on client engagements – but also continue to offer their OneView product to public services including local government, healthcare, and central government.

Speaking on the opportunities ahead, Wajid Shafiq, Xantura’s founder and CEO, added, “I am delighted that Xantura is joining the Newton family. Through this partnership we will be able to expand the reach and adoption of our already-proven solutions, whilst accelerating innovations in new areas. I am confident that our shared values and commitment to improving outcomes will make a real difference to the public sector and the citizens it serves.”

The public sector remains the UK consulting market’s second largest segment. However, public pressure on governments to control their spending on private sector contractors means it faces an uncertain future, following the 2024 election. Both Labour and the Conservatives have pledged to find ways to limit their consulting spending if they form the next government.