The merger, which was completed in September 2025, represents a critical step in building out Rouse’s geographical footprint – aligned with its core strategic objective of offering a fully integrated, tech-enabled global IP solution to clients. This represents Rouse’s fifth M&A transaction since MML invested in July 2022, four of which have been headquartered in Europe (alongside the recently announced merger with Wrays in Australia). Following these transactions, the group will boast a total of 1,080 employees across 19 jurisdictions and more than 30 offices.
Through the deal, Rouse will also materially bolster the patent and litigation capabilities it can offer to clients. Arnold & Siedsma clients will meanwhile benefit from access to Rouse’s expansive and growing breadth of services and expertise across IP consulting, trademarks, enforcement, patents and disputes across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. As well as collaborating to offer enhanced client services in new markets, this merger will enable both organizations to further accelerate investment in technology, leverage data more effectively, and utilize shared technology platforms, which was a major rationale for Rouse and Arnold & Siedsma to come together.
Luke Minford, CEO at Rouse, explains:
Europe is a hugely important region strategically for us. Through the addition of Arnold & Siedsma to the Rouse Group, we can continue executing our vision to become the first truly global and integrated IP services firm, combining capabilities and services across geographies. A&S has proven and well-established credentials across several important markets in Europe, and we’re excited to be able to deliver additional value to our international clients through this deal.
Steve Duxbury, Managing Partner at Arnold & Siedsma, said:
Arnold & Siedsma has been a regional leader for decades and, with Rouse, we’ll be taking our business to the next level. We have long acknowledged the need to evolve in response to the changing IP services landscape to better meet our clients’ needs. While we previously lacked the ideal partner, we have now found that fit with Rouse. Their values align strongly with our own, and we’re confident that together we’ll be able to take advantage of our complementary but different skills, capabilities and perspectives.
Robert Devonshire, Partner at MML, added:
This merger with Arnold & Siedsma represents a transformational step for Rouse in its journey towards building a true ‘one-stop shop’ – supporting its client base with their needs across all key service lines and several new jurisdictions. We are also truly delighted to be joined by the tremendously talented and culturally aligned A&S team going forward, all of whom have been a pleasure to work with through this process.
Rouse was advised by Investec (Ed Thomas, Scott Williams, Freddie Thomas), Pinsent Masons (Ed Stead, Frits Burg) and Grant Thornton (Dara Kelly, Rachel Wong). The MML team included Robert Devonshire, Will Stewart & James Church.