Blue Prism nears takeover deal from US tech company

A £1.2bn takeover of robotics company Blue Prism by a US tech company is a step closer.

Shareholders backed Connecticut-headquartered SS&C’s offer to buy AIM-listed tech company Blue Prism last December after its bid trumped a rival one from private equity firm Vista.

However, Blue Prism was awaiting clearance on the deal from the Secretary of State under the UK National Security and Investment Act 2021, which it has now received allowing the company to go-ahead with the deal, although it needs to go through one more hurdle.

The acquisition needs a court sanction next month when the deal is expected to become effective.

Blue Prism, which makes automation software, was founded in Warrington in 2001 and listed on AIM in 2015.

It works with companies including EY, Jaguar Land Rover, Siemens, and Google.

Last year, its software helped automate pandemic PPE ordering for the NHS.

SS&C builds software for hedge funds, private equity firms, and healthcare companies.

The Nasdaq-listed business has a market value of $20bn.