Alantra provides strategic advice to Hg on its investment in Focus Group
SECTORTechnology
ServiceStrategic Advisory
London – Alantra has provided strategic advice to Hg, a leading investor in European and transatlantic software and services businesses, on its significant investment in Focus Group. Focus Group is one of the UK’s leading providers of essential business technology to SMEs.
Founded in 2003 by Ralph Gilbert and Chris Goodman in Brighton & Hove, UK, Focus Group provides digital workplace solutions to around 30,000 SME customers. The company offers a single point of contact for the IT needs of these clients, providing communications and software solutions, connectivity and value-added IT services.
Hg has made more than a dozen investments in SME Tech Services over two decades. Its investment in Focus Group will support the company’s organic growth plan, M&A ambitions and product development initiatives, enhancing its ability to deliver innovative solutions for the UK SME sector.
Alantra advised Bowmark Capital on its investment in Focus Group in early 2020, including advising on the debt funding package provided by a leading debt fund. This, combined with advising on numerous further managed services transactions including Giacom (formerly DWS), ARO, Babble and Viatel, ideally positioned Alantra for the role.
James Chapman-Andrews, Global Head of Technology at Alantra, said, “It has been a pleasure to support Hg on their investment in Focus Group. Hg is an excellent partner for Focus Group and a premium investor in the sector. We look forward to closely following the Focus strategy to build a national champion in the industry.”
