RICHARD BAKER
Managing Partner
Maven Capital Partners (“Maven”), one of the UK’s most active private equity houses, has led the management buyout (“MBO”) of ENVITIA Group plc (“ENVITIA”), an established data and geospatial technology and services provider to the defence and public sectors. The transaction has been fully funded by Maven’s maiden institutional fund – Maven UK Regional Buyout Fund L.P.
ENVITIA’s Data Discovery Platform (“DDP”), geospatial software and team of data experts, helps organisations to make sense of data, turning it into a valuable resource which can deliver clear actionable insights to make better, faster and more informed decisions. The Business has been operating in the Data and Geospatial market for over 30 years and is a trusted partner to 71 Tier 1 clients.
Horsham-based ENVITIA works with organisations to solve data challenges covering a range of specialised areas such as data discovery and access, data modelling, data quality, AI / Machine Learning, analytics and visualisation all within a geospatial niche.
The current senior management team, led by CEO Nabil Lodey, were recruited in 2018 and refocused the business to provide a solutions orientated service for customers in the defence and public sectors to drive their digital transformation strategies. Since their appointment ENVITIA has delivered impressive growth across revenues and service capabilities.
The amount of data created over the next three years will be more than has been created over the past 30 years according to the IDC (International Data Corporation). This exponential growth in data is being driven by, amongst others, an increase in data-generating devices, 5G networks, cloud computing and the prevalence of Internet of Things (IoT), and the global geospatial analytics market is forecasted to grow 15% annually to $137.5 billion in 2025.
ENVITIA is well positioned to leverage their deep domain experience in the geospatial market as demand and use cases continue to increase within their market. The funding from Maven will support the continued growth of the business, expansion of their services and further development of their proprietary software technology for the ultimate benefit of their customers.
Tom Purkis, Partner at Maven, said: “The growth achieved in recent years, in addition to the significant market opportunity, demonstrates the clear potential for the Business under a strong and credible team. ENVITIA has built up an impressive blue-chip client base with its technology solutions now embedded in over 8,000 mission critical applications actively deployed worldwide. We have been impressed by ENVITIA’s technology solutions and comprehensive IP portfolio, and we look forward to helping the business achieve its growth objectives.”
Nabil Lodey, CEO at ENVITIA, added:
“This deal is a significant milestone for ENVITIA and a real opportunity to accelerate the growth of the business through further product development in AI & ML as well as expansion into new sectors. We’re hugely passionate about the data and geospatial markets and want to serve our customers as a disruptive, innovative and forward-thinking data company. We were therefore delighted to partner with a highly experienced private equity house in Maven who are closely aligned with our vision and we look forward to working with them to achieve our ambitious growth agenda.”
John Massey OBE, Founder at Envitia:
“From the outset, Acuity demonstrated their extensive knowledge of the software tech sector and understanding of our business. The team provided excellent advice and guidance, remaining fully engaged throughout the competitive process which resulted in several offers from buyers and investors. Their experience and tenacity enabled us to achieve a great outcome for the future of the business as well as the founders and management. Working with Acuity has been a rewarding and pleasurable experience.”
Richard Baker, Managing Partner at Acuity Advisors:
“Envita’s acquisition by Maven Capital Partners highlights Acuity’s expertise as a European mid-cap technology sell-side advisor. This transaction is another addition to Acuity Advisors’ strong credentials in the Data and Software sectors, I am delighted that the Acuity team have achieved this result for our client. We have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with the shareholders (led by John Massey), the management team and Maven on this transaction. Envitia’s sector leading proposition places the business at the foot of a huge growth opportunity in both data technology and digital transformation. As the shareholders pass the baton to Nabil, Paul and Richard, we are really excited about where the team will take Envitia next with Maven’s broad experience and support.”
“From the outset, Acuity demonstrated their extensive knowledge of the software tech sector and understanding of our business. The team provided excellent advice and guidance, remaining fully engaged throughout the competitive process which resulted in several offers from buyers and investors. Their experience and tenacity enabled us to achieve a great outcome for the future of the business as well as the founders and management. Working with Acuity has been a rewarding and pleasurable experience.”
JOHN MASSEY OBE | Founder
Envitia
Team Members
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Richard is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Acuity Advisors with 25 years’ experience in all aspects of corporate finance.
Having held influential leadership, corporate development and consulting roles at JPMorgan, Monitor and Diageo plc, Richard has had great insight into the world’s most successful businesses. He has extensive experience working alongside investment banks on M&A transactions across the technology sector and has deep-rooted longstanding relationships with many venture capital and private equity investors.
Richard has been instrumental in building Acuity’s Deep Tech Practice which, along with our successes in the semiconductor sector, has firmly established Acuity as the most successful Deep Tech mid-market advisor. With many notable funding and exit mandates completed, clients have come to rely on Richard’s sector insight to help shape and deliver shareholder value.
Insight is one of Richard’s notable strengths. He very quickly grasps what drives a company’s bottom line and growth, an understanding that’s bolstered by his personal experience of running and then exiting his own business. Richard easily builds strong working relationships with potential buyers and has a keen and intuitive sense for what motivates them.
Since securing a first class degree in Economics with Statistics, Richard has worked extensively in Europe, the US and Asia, creating an enviable and comprehensive international network.