The Citation Group, the global compliance specialist, has made its first, transformational move into the North American market by acquiring HRdownloads, a leading provider of HR software, content and advisory support to companies across Canada.

The acquisition makes Citation a truly global compliance leader with over 2,000 team members, supporting 100,000 businesses with best-in-class solutions across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

HRdownloads was founded in 2008 and serves over 6,000 small and medium sized businesses across Canada. Clients use the suite of award-winning HR software and content, along with world class e-learning and HR advisory services, to manage a range of compliance activities within their organisations.

The comprehensive HR technology solution enables clients to have peace of mind around effectively meeting regulatory requirements, focusing on their main business activities while at the same time facilitating a happier and healthier workforce.

This latest international acquisition, which follows three acquisitions in Australia and New Zealand since 2021, provides The Citation Group with the opportunity to further expand in Canada, act as a gateway into the North American market and allows them to extend the delivery of its suite of compliance solutions to HRdownloads’ customers.

Chris Morris (pictured above), Group CEO of The Citation Group: “We are thrilled to welcome HRdownloads into The Citation Group as we take this major step in further building out our international operations. The HRdownloads team have built a highly impressive business which is very aligned with Citation’s HR offerings elsewhere in the world.

We’re excited to work with the HRdownloads team to invest further in their success and to deliver a broader range of Citation compliance offerings into Canada.”

Tony Boyle, Founder and Chairman of HRdownloads, says: “I’m excited about today’s announcement and see huge further potential for HRdownloads as part of The Citation Group. Within HRdownloads we have always focused on engaging employees and empowering leaders to love what they do by providing them with award-winning HR technology, industry-specific HR content, and world-class HR support.

The same focus and passion is shared by The Citation Group and I have every confidence the HRdownloads team and product suite will go from strength to strength over the coming months and years.”

Chris Morris concludes: “I’m incredibly proud of what we continue to achieve at Citation. This is our eleventh acquisition in the last three years, which has both broadened our geographic reach and the range of compliance solutions we offer our clients. Over the last ten years, we have created countless jobs and opportunities, growing from just 250 colleagues to more than 2,000 colleagues based across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. 

What unites us is our unwavering passion and focus to help build safer, more sustainable businesses that power these economies. Adding HRdownloads’ technology, team and customers is a strategic step forward, making us an even better partner for businesses around the world.”