M&A Deal Summary

ECI Partners Acquires Ciphr

On January 18, 2021, private equity firm ECI Partners acquired internet software and services company Ciphr from LDC

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is ECI Partners’ 10th transaction in the Internet Software and Services sector.
  • This is ECI Partners’ 64th transaction in the United Kingdom.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 2021-01-18
Target Ciphr
Sector Internet Software and Services
Buyer(s) ECI Partners
Sellers(s) LDC
Deal Type Secondary Buyout

Target

Ciphr

Reading, United Kingdom
Ciphr is a specialist provider of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) HR, payroll, recruitment, and learning software that connects businesses with their employees via an online platform, CIPHR Connect. Ciphr was founded in 1982 and is based in Reading, United Kingdom.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

ECI Partners

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1976
PE ASSETS 2.0B GBP
Size Large
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

ECI Partners is a private equity firm focused on the smaller middle-market company that invests in growing businesses valued up to £300m. ECI looks for UK businesses or businesses with a substantial presence in the UK. Funds are generally used to support expansion, acquisitions, management buyouts, buy-ins, turnarounds, and refinancing. Target sectors include IT services, support services, Insurance, and SME services. ECI will not invest in early-stage companies. ECI Partners was formed in 1976 and has offices in London, Manchester, and New York.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 69 of 78
Sector (Internet Software and Services) 10 of 13
Type (Secondary Buyout) 14 of 20
Country (United Kingdom) 64 of 73
Year (2021) 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-12-09 Arkessa

Bishop's Stortford, United Kingdom

Arkessa Ltd. is an Internet-of-Things (“IoT”) managed services provider. Arkessa enables Enterprises to develop and optimise their businesses by helping them adopt, integrate and scale IoT enabled services. Arkessa was founded in 2009 and is based in Bishop's Stortford, England.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-03-30 Investis Digital

London, United Kingdom

Investis Digital is a provider of digital corporate communications and marketing services to blue-chip institutions globally. Through its proprietary Connected Content™ approach, Investis Digital combines compelling communications, intelligent digital experiences, and performance marketing to help more than 1600 global companies build deeper connections with audiences, manage corporate reputation and drive business performance. Investis Digital was founded in 2000 and is based in London, United Kingdom.

Sell -

Seller(S) 1

SELLER

LDC

London, United Kingdom

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1981
PE ASSETS 3.6B GBP
Size Large
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

LDC is the private equity and investment arm of Lloyds Banking Group. LDC invests in mid-market companies throughout the UK. LDC seeks high growth businesses with at least two years of profitability (greater than £1 million). The Firm looks to commit £2 to £100 million in companies generating at least £5 million in revenue. Areas of interest include cleantech/environmental, construction/property, financial services, healthcare, industrials, retail/consumer, support services, TMT and travel/leisure. Prospective transaction types includes acquisition financings, development capital, equity release, MBOs, MBIs, mergers, private placements, and secondary buy-outs. LDC was formed in 1981 and is based in London.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 162 of 199
Sector (Internet Software and Services) 6 of 9
Type (Secondary Buyout) 57 of 73
Country (United Kingdom) 156 of 193
Year (2021) 1 of 16
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-01-05 Omniplex Learning

St Albans, United Kingdom

Omniplex Learning is an eLearning solutions provider. Omniplex Learning is founded in 1991 and is based in St Albans, United Kingdom.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-02-11 ADEY Innovation

Stonehouse, United Kingdom

ADEY Innovation Ltd. specializes in the design, manufacture, and supply of innovative products and services that significantly improve the effectiveness of domestic and commercial heating and cooling systems and water treatment systems. ADEY Innovation was formed in 2003 and is based in Stonehouse, United Kingdom.

Sell £210M