The Conexus Group

History & Founding

The Conexus Group was founded in 2001 by Rob Dowling and Bruce Gamble, initially as the iGaming recruitment agency Pentasia. Pentasia quickly gained market recognition during the early growth of the online gaming sector. In 2007, the group expanded beyond recruitment by launching iGaming Academy, a training provider for industry compliance and professional development. International expansion followed in 2013 with the launch of Partis, a consulting and M&A advisory firm based in London and New York. Marden Executive was added in 2014 to focus on interim placements, NEDs, board advisors, and senior executive search. To create a unified structure, The Conexus Group was formally established in 2016, bringing Pentasia, Partis, iGaming Academy, and Marden under a single holding company. That same year, Conexus Management Services was created as a central support function.

The group has since accelerated growth through acquisitions: in 2018, Pentasia acquired Headcount Recruitment (a payments recruiter); in 2022, Enterprise Solutions was launched within Pentasia for large-scale team recruitment; in 2023, PaymentGenes Recruitment replaced the Headcount brand, strengthening the group’s payments vertical.

Services & Brands

The Conexus Group offers six core service lines, delivered through dedicated brands. Recruitment is handled by Pentasia, Conexus Enterprise, PaymentGenes Recruitment, and Initiate International, providing talent acquisition across iGaming, payments, and technology, from individual placements to full RPO. Training is delivered by iGaming Academy, which offers compliance and workplace skills training, including certified courses for new entrants and experienced professionals. Consultancy and M&A advisory are provided by Partis, covering market entry, operational efficiency, regulatory support, and buy-side and sell-side transactions. The group also offers performance-driven digital marketing services and managed services, with remote or locally managed teams across multiple jurisdictions.

Additional brands include Conexus Leadership (executive search and leadership advisory) and InclineBet (a leadership and talent platform). Marden Executive, a legacy brand focusing on interim management and NED placements, is now likely merged into Conexus Leadership.

Market Position & Reach

With a stated focus on the iGaming and payments verticals, The Conexus Group differentiates itself through its integrated, one-stop-shop model. It claims 10 global locations and a team of over 200 experienced consultants and professionals. Its client base spans start-ups, scale-ups, and established corporates. The company is privately held and does not disclose financials publicly, but its LinkedIn estimates 51-200 employees. The group’s deep sector expertise and long-term client relationships position it as a lifecycle partner for operators, suppliers, and investors, providing specialist support from market entry and talent acquisition through to operational scaling and exit strategies.