Worawut - stock.adobe.com
Channel consolidation continues with trio of deals
This year has already seen plenty of action on the mergers and acquisitions front and this week has added another three deals to the list
Consolidation across the channel has continued with a number of deals being sealed by those looking to bring on board additional skills and market expertise.
Northgate Public Services
The firm has picked up service design agency Snook, a firm that redesigns public and private services to meet user needs and it will give Northgate more muscle in the public sector.
Stephen Callaghan, CEO, Northgate Public Services, said that Snook would add more depth to its efforts to help the public sector make services more accessible to users.
"Snook’s reputation for designing products and services that are more accessible, relevant and focused on people’s needs is unrivalled in the public sector. Combine this with our focus on putting critical information into the hands of people where and when they need it, and the result will be technology solutions that achieve the delicate balance of both meeting the public sector’s needs and the public it serves," he said.
Sarah Drummond, co-founder and managing director of Snook, said that it would be looking to combine its service design with Northgate's open software: "Together we will be able to increase the pace of change in the public sector and ensure products and services work and are accessible for the people who use them."
EQT Partners, which owns enterprise applications specialist IFS, has signed an agreement to acquire cloud ERP provider Acumatica. To reinforce the coalition, following the closing of the transaction Jonas Persson will serve as chairman for both companies.
"Acumatica’s customer-friendly licensing and industry-leading partner programs will not change, and our award-winning support will only get better. Combined with the proficiencies of IFS, Acumatica is positioned to expand into markets and offer true global support for our rapidly expanding international customers," said Jon Roskill, CEO of Acumatica.
"This collaboration is great news for both organizations, our customers, partners, and employees," said IFS CEO Darren Roos, who will take a position on Acumatica’s board of directors. "EQT has brought together two businesses that will enjoy the key benefits of a partnership in the growing cloud enterprise applications market."
The Dutch firm has increased its presence in the UK through the acquisition of public sector focused consultancy Prederi. The Surrey-based firm sells services into the public sector and will now be sharing its expertise with BearingPoint.
"With the acquisition of Prederi we are continuing our growth strategy in selected markets with consultancies that are highly focused and strongly differentiated. Prederi's portfolio is a perfect complement to our public service strategy and supports our strategic growth areas," said Kiumars Hamidian, managing partner of BearingPoint.
Stewart Johns, managing director of Prederi, said that the acquisition would give it the chance to be more focused on growth.
"Being with BearingPoint will enable us to accelerate our growth sustainably and to enhance and extend what we can do for our clients in today’s challenging climate," he added "We are excited at the development opportunities that will open up for the Prederi team and those who will join us in the future."
