Leadership in today’s public sector demands more than strong policy ideas. It requires the ability to move from intention to implementation—to translate complex challenges into measurable outcomes for citizens, communities and governments.

That shared belief sits at the heart of the partnership between Halifax-headquartered Davis Pier and Belfast-headquartered global digital transformation company Kainos Group.

Since co-founding Davis Pier in 2014, Mike Davis and Darryl Pierrynowski have grown the company from a single employee into a 120-person team with offices in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Ontario. The firm has built a reputation for tackling social and policy challenges through human-centred design, behavioural science and a purpose-built change management approach. From disability supports and food insecurity to healthcare transformation, Davis Pier has positioned itself as a trusted advisor to governments seeking solutions grounded in both policy realities and human impact.

“Davis Pier is intently focused on delivering public good and social impact by tackling complex problems for governments and healthcare institutions across Canada,” says Davis. “This purpose-driven approach is what sets us apart in the crowded landscape of consulting and is ultimately why we have become an employer of choice, a trusted advisor to governments, and an attractive partner for Kainos’ expansion in North America.”

At the same time, he says, “With AI and digital modernizations now front and centre in our daily lives and a public sector pressured to keep up, we recognized a few years back that Davis Pier needed to enrich its offerings in this space.”

In September 2025, Davis Pier became a wholly owned subsidiary of Kainos Group, formalizing a working relationship that began in 2022. The acquisition brings significant foreign direct investment into the Nova Scotian and Canadian marketplace and positions Halifax as a key hub within Kainos’ global public sector operations.

For Kainos, Canada is its most important growth market globally in digital transformation, and Davis Pier represents its first investment in the Atlantic region of Canada. For Davis Pier, the partnership unlocks deeper technical capability, including access to advanced digital and AI expertise, scaled investment in AI research and delivery, and real-world experience deploying advanced AI solutions across complex public systems.

“Under Mike and Darryl’s leadership, Davis Pier has evolved into a nationally respected consultancy known for delivering complex, high-impact work,” says Brendan Moony, CEO of Kainos. “Just as importantly, they have built a values-driven organization with a strong leadership team, a disciplined growth strategy, and a culture that consistently attracts exceptional talent. This combination of performance and purpose attracted us as a partner in early 2022 and was central to our decision to acquire Davis Pier during 2025.”

Together, the organizations are better equipped to connect technology innovation with real policy outcomes—ensuring digital transformation supports better decisions, better services, and better outcomes for citizens. “It quickly became clear that combining our strengths could accelerate meaningful change across Canada’s healthcare and public sectors,” Davis says.

As governments navigate complexity and rapid technological change, Davis Pier and Kainos position their partnership as a way to bridge policy insight with digital capability—delivering leadership with impact across Canada’s public sector landscape.

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