Catalyst advises on £92m technology firm sale
BIRMINGHAM-based advisory firm Catalyst Corporate Finance has advised Sovereign Capital and the management shareholders on the sale of technology firm Alcumus.
The firm – which has an operation in Wootton Wawen in Warwickshire – is a provider of technology-enabled compliance risk management and certification services.
It has been sold in a secondary buy-out funded by Inflexion Private Equity.
The transaction represents a return of 4.4x money invested for Sovereign Capital.
Sovereign originally created Alcumus through its platform investment in Sypol, the specialist COSHH and health, safety and environmental risk management services provider, in 2009.
With Sovereign’s backing, Alcumus has integrated four bolt-on acquisitions, successfully packaged their combined services and has delivered 15 quarters of unbroken organic growth.
Dyson Bogg, director of Sovereign Capital, said: “This is a great business with a strong demand for its technology-enabled services.
“This transaction also reflects Sovereign’s commitment to buy and build in the business support services sector where we continue to work with companies to deliver growth whether organically or through strategic acquisition.
“We are delighted to have partnered such a first class management team to build this business and wish them every success going forward.”
Alcumus operates throughout the UK and via a global network, combining technology with advice to support clients to manage their exposure to risk, comply with the latest legislation, improve business performance and encourage workforce engagement.
The business has grown its client base from 600 to more than 8,000 customers and works with 35% of FTSE 100 companies.
Andy Currie, Birmingham-based managing partner at Catalyst who led the deal, said: “Through the support of Sovereign, a high quality, scalable business with strong growth prospects has been created.
“Inflexion understand the sector well and, as such, were a natural partner.”
