News round-up: January 6

Strong whiskey, fine literature, and folk music are among the Irish people's strengths. Banking is not. Ireland's Central Bank announced today that it had hired The Boston Consulting Group to advise and aid in the process of saving the country's troubled banks, following a financial meltdown and subsequent government-led bailout. The Bank also enlisted Barclays Capital and BlackRock for the effort. (Apparently the Irish government found enough quarters in the proverbial couch for one last spending spree.)

Stateside, North Highland acquired Minneapolis-based consultancy Insight Solutions Group to notch its 20th office in the US. Insight is something of a classic strategy outfit, specializing "in strategic assessment and planning, project and program management and analysis, and management consulting services." North Highland president Michael Lee called Insight the "go-to management consulting firm in the Midwest" (editor's note: …) and expressed his glee at the deal.

In a counter-outsourcing move, Indian firm TAKE Solutions bought UK-based WCI Consulting Group for an undisclosed sum. TAKE, which specializes in life sciences, made the move to both expand its geographic influence and to consolidate its expertise in the industry segment. "We are EXTREMELY bullish about this acquisition," said TAKE CEO Ram Yeleswarapu after drinking eight cups of coffee.

For more information:
The Irish Times
Press Release: North Highland Acquires Insight Solutions Group
Business Standard