Cambodia Investment Review
When Cambodia Investment Review last spoke with Founder & CEO Martin Crawford and Co-Founder & COO Debby Davidson of Acclime in 2022 during the launch of the firm’s new Cambodia office at Urban Village, the company had set an ambitious target — to double its revenue from $100 million to over $200 million by 2025.
In this latest Leader Talks feature, CIR sits down with Acclime Group CEO Izzy Silva during his recent visit to Phnom Penh to discuss how Acclime is on track to achieve that milestone and how the firm’s Cambodia operations and regional network are driving growth through technology, strategic acquisitions, and thought leadership.
According to Silva, Acclime’s journey since launching its Phnom Penh office in 2020 has been defined by expansion, innovation, and a strong commitment to developing Cambodia as a key market within the firm’s regional strategy. Across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, Acclime continues to strengthen its presence while deploying proprietary AI tools to enhance service delivery and compliance capabilities.
Expanding Footprint and Regional Growth
Since 2022, Acclime has expanded into Australia, New Zealand, India, and the Middle East, building a regional network that now spans 18 territories, 28 offices, and over 2,000 employees. This progress has been achieved through a combination of organic growth and targeted mergers and acquisitions.
“The path to achieving growth has been a combination of strong organic expansion coupled with targeted M&A across our core region,” Silva shared. “By the end of 2025, we expect to be close to achieving that ambitious revenue target.”
This rapid growth reflects Acclime’s strategic shift toward higher-value, tech-enabled professional services and its position as a trusted regional partner for companies navigating complex cross-border regulatory landscapes. In Cambodia, the firm has grown from a 35-person team in 2020 to around 55 professionals, marking steady development within one of its most dynamic emerging markets.
AURA: Powering Efficiency Through AI
At the core of Acclime’s transformation is AURA, the firm’s proprietary AI and automation platform. Designed to unify AI capabilities across the organization, AURA enhances operational efficiency, improves client experience, and strengthens enterprise intelligence.
Leveraging agentic AI and intelligent process automation, AURA streamlines workflows and ensures precision at scale, allowing Acclime’s teams to focus on strategic advisory and client engagement rather than repetitive administrative tasks.
“AURA is about strengthening the human element for clients and streamlining the operational experience for our people,” Silva explained. “We first see automation and AI as a value differentiator for our people, and eventually, there will be a client-facing element.”
In Cambodia and across the broader region, AURA is expected to empower businesses to navigate increasingly complex financial, tax, and compliance environments with greater agility and precision. The initiative reflects Acclime’s commitment to pairing regional expertise with technological innovation, setting a new benchmark for service delivery in the corporate advisory space.
Thought Leadership and Compliance in Emerging Markets
Beyond technology, Acclime continues to drive industry-wide knowledge sharing through its Waypoints initiative — a thought leadership platform that bridges local realities with international best practices. The platform provides insights on regulatory changes, economic trends, and governance frameworks, helping companies across Asia-Pacific make informed business decisions.
In Cambodia, Acclime’s thought leadership extends to supporting institutional capacity building through its founding sponsorship of the Cambodian Institute of Directors (Cam-IoD). This partnership highlights the firm’s commitment to advancing governance standards and professional development among local executives.
Through initiatives like the Certified Directors Program, Acclime helps directors and business leaders align their practices with international benchmarks while respecting Cambodia’s unique business environment.
“Cambodia presents both opportunities and challenges,” Silva noted. “It has an open investment climate and strong entrepreneurial drive, but aligning international expectations with domestic regulations requires deep local expertise — something Acclime is uniquely positioned to provide.”
Outlook: Scaling High-Value, Tech-Enabled Services
Looking ahead, Acclime’s regional priorities remain focused on scaling its high-value service lines, deepening digital integration, and investing in people. Silva said the firm is executing a broader Asia-Pacific and Middle East growth strategy centered on innovation, service excellence, and leadership development.
Key priorities include:
- Expanding services in market entry, tax advisory, fund administration, ESG consulting, and cross-border transaction support.
- Embedding AURA at the center of its tech-enabled service model to drive consistency and quality.
- Helping clients scale seamlessly across Southeast Asia and the Middle East through integrated compliance and governance solutions.
- Investing in Cambodian talent and leadership development to build resilient, future-ready businesses.
“As we execute our regional strategy, our focus remains on being client-centric,” Silva said. “We aim to deliver outstanding and differentiated service levels that make Acclime the partner of choice for businesses expanding across the region.”
