Nottingham tech firm in multimillion-pound MBO

Nottingham tech firm in multimillion-pound MBO
LDC has backed the deal

ENSEK, the Nottingham-based software as a service (SaaS) firm, has been sold in a multimillion-pound management buyout (MBO) backed by private equity firm LDC.

ENSEK uses its (SaaS) platform to provide existing energy suppliers with its revenue assurance and gross margin accounting product. It also provides new market entrants with the end-to-end software solution required to enter and operate in the UK energy sector.

The firm was set up in 2010 by chief executive Jon Slade and currently employs 65 people.

The deal sees LDC invest for a “significant minority” alongside management. Following LDC’s investment, the business says it plans to further invest in product and “new proposition development”.

Slade said: “The energy sector is facing a period of unprecedented change, driven largely by the number of smaller suppliers entering the market. We want to build on our work of providing market-leading software services to energy suppliers, large and small, across the UK and continue to help them use data to become more efficient and competitive within the growing market.

“Partnering with LDC will give us both the financial firepower and strategic expertise required to take the business to the next level, and we’re looking forward to working closely with the team as we grow the business together.”

The deal was led by investment directors John Green and David Bains at LDC in Nottingham, and both will join the board as non-executive directors.

Ian Peters has been appointed as non-executive chairman with Eddie Minshull joining as non-executive director. Peters was formerly a member of Centrica’s Executive Committee and held the MD and COO roles during his 12 years with the business. Minshull has more than 30 years’ experience supporting the growth of technology businesses such as broadband provider, Gigaclear, as well as network performance specialist Juniper Networks. He is currently also chairman of energy technology provider Onzo.

John Green, investment director at LDC in Nottingham, added: “Jon and the team have an ambitious growth plan, which has driven the business forward at a fast pace. Their in-depth knowledge of the sector, strong technical capabilities and commitment to deliver exceptional customer service is continuing to bear fruit, with more than 15 new customers secured in the last year alone, and the business has firmly established itself as a key player in the market.

“As energy suppliers continue to face increased pressure to improve efficiencies, ENSEK is in a strong position to capitalise on this demand and with the additional support of Ian and Eddie, who together bring significant knowledge and experience in the energy and technology sectors, we’re looking forward to supporting the business on its next stage of growth.”

LDC was advised on its investment by Clearwater International, Browne Jacobson, EY, Credo and Baringa Partners.

Management was advised by Magma Chartered Accountants and Martin Smith and Jahid Ali of Spearing Waite.

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