Palatine invests in ambitious Liverpool tech business Bluprintx
Palatine has announced a “significant investment” from its Buyout Fund into digital transformation services provider Bluprintx as the Liverpool-based consultancy seeks further acquisition opportunities.
The investment, for an undisclosed amount, coincides with the completion of Bluprintx’s acquisition of an American business ITG, which has operations in both the US and Hungary, and is a specialist in Adobe Commerce. The deal takes the group to a headcount of more than 140 employees globally.
According to Lee Hackett, founder and CEO of Bluprintx, Palatine’s backing will be “instrumental” as the business expands its services.
”The investment will help Bluprintx to expand, including by acquisition. It is particularly seeking opportunities that provide its customers with broader technology expertise, and closer alignment to leading vendors including Adobe,” he said.
A former professional footballer with Wigan Athletic, Hackett has ambitious plans to build a global digital transformation consultancy business focused on marketing technology.
The business was launched in 2016 in collaboration with the University of Liverpool and has made multiple since, most recently in April 2024 it acquired Definitive Results, an automation and productivity consultancy, also based in the US.
Palatine’s Buyout Fund typically invests between £10m – £30m in businesses with growth potential.
James Painter, Senior Investment Director at Palatine added: “Palatine has a strong track record in the technology services sector and we are delighted to have completed on a platform in the digital transformation space, backing the Bluprintx management team in their buy and build strategy.
“Bluprintx is a trusted adviser to large enterprise and high growth clients, with strong capability across market leading technology vendors. We look forward to partnering with the business to expand its solution capabilities, creating a global business of scale,” Painter said.
ITG Commerce has worked with brands such as YT Industries, Good 360, Emarsys (an SAP Company), See Tickets, The Body Shop, Shell Recharge, HTC, Bauhaus, and Calypsa on complex customizations and integrations for B2B and B2C clients.
The Palatine investment team comprised of Andy Lees, James Painter and Tom Hustler. Both James and Tom will join the Bluprintx board.
Palatine was advised by Clearwater (Buyside Corporate Finance), Gateley (Legal), RSM (FDD & Tax), Armstrong (CDD), Lockton (Insurance), Cyberfort (Cyber) and StrattonHR (Management & HR).
Bluprintx was advised by GHF Advisory (Corporate Finance), Browne Jacobson (Legal) and Hurst (Tax), with additional support from Neil Inskip.
