9 deals in Consulting, PMO, Cyber security, IT and Telco

2. TechnologyOne acquires UK-based Scientia for over $22M

Australian-headquartered TechnologyOne has made its first international acquisition in the form of UK-based academic timetabling software vendor Scientia for £12 million (A$22.4 million). Scientia offers solutions targeting the higher education space, which is an area that TechnologyOne already operates in. Coming in at A$22.4 million in cash, the payment consists of an initial payment of £6 million (A$11.2 million) with further payments based on achieving progressive earnouts through to the 2023 financial year. The acquisition is expected to accelerate TechnologyOne’s growth in the UK market, as well as bolstering its services for the Australian higher education market, according to TechnologyOne CEO Edward Chung. While this is the first time the Australian enterprise resource planning (ERP) software vendor has acquired a company outside of its home country, the business does have offices in the UK, as well as New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia.

3. Five V Capital buys into Automic Group with $80m investment

Local private equity player Five V Capital has snapped up a stake in cloud-based share registry services provider Automic Group, tipping in more than $80 million in a deal valuing the business at more than $200 million. It is understood the investment secured Five V a “significant minority” holding in the business, with it investing alongside existing Automic investors including biotech bigwigs and former rich listers David and Paul Duchen and company management. The business has more than 800 ASX-listed clients, and it’s become the second large share registry player in Australia, behind Computershare. The Perth-based business was founded in 2011 by Ben Kay, who still sits on the board, but is now led by Paul Williams, who had worked alongside the Duchens at generic drug company Arrow Pharmaceuticals in the early 2000s.The business services the likes of Zip, Guzman & Gomez, NobleOak and helloworld travel and provides a range of corporate solutions spanning legal, registry, governance, company secretarial and finance services.

4. ASI Solutions acquires Mildura, Victoria-based Int Tec Solutions

ASI Solutions has acquired Mildura, Victoria-based managed services provider Int Tec Solutions for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition expands ASI into regional Victoria, NSW and South Australia, while also adding complementary solutions and skills. Founded in 2000, Int Tec specialises in enterprise-level IT solutions like technology, IT support and security services to local regional businesses in the Sunraysia region, which includes parts of Victoria, southern NSW and eastern SA. All 20 of Int Tec’s staff will join ASI Solutions and more staff are planned to be brought in moving forward. Int Tec director Mark Liddle will also join to ensure a successful transition. ASI Solutions managing director Nathan Lowe said he was delighted with the synergies between the two organisations.

5. Orro buys eSecure to boost cyber security skills

Secure network and digital infrastructure provider Orro is building up its cyber security expertise through purchasing managed security services player eSecure. The acquisition adds new security consulting, assurance and managed detection and response capabilities, complementing Orro’s existing security services. Since its launch earlier this year, Orro has grown to almost 400 employees through strategic acquisitions. Founded in 1999 by Colin Boyce, eSecure has offices in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and London, and boasts CREST and 27001 security certifications. Orro CEO Rodd Cunico said the acquisition would add around 35 cyber experts to the company’s existing security team, as well as a cyber security operations centre in Sydney and customer follow-the-sun support services based in London.

6. Domain acquires Insight Data Solutions for up to $159 million

Domain has acquired Insights Data Solutions (IDS) for up to $159 million to advance its marketplace strategy. The real estate portal operator purchased IDS, an Australian property valuation solution business, to extend its reach beyond agents and consumers into the finance and government sectors. IDS specialises in government and corporate real estate. Domain plans to make use of the company’s specialist capabilities in land and property valuation, insights and analytics services. The deal is expected to be finalised in mid-October later this year for a $60 million cash payment with additional contingent payments after this date through to June 2027.

7. Project management consulting firms TBH and Acorn team up

Australian project management consultancy Tracey Brunstrom & Hammond (TBH) has agreed a partnership with Acorn Project Advisory, a boutique Sydney-based counterpart. Founded in 1965, Tracey Brunstrom & Hammond is an Australian-grown consulting firmthat specialises in the delivery of high-risk, large-scale and challenging projects in sectors including infrastructure, space, energy, defence, transport, mining oil & gas and transport. The firm today has around 250 employees operating from five offices in Australia, and four in other parts of the world. Acorn Project Advisory also specialises in project management services, with a focus on strategic advisory, programme management and control, and project solutions. The firm is much younger, founded at the start of this year by Jeremy Oakes, the former Australia Country Manager of British engineering consultancy Mace.

8. Beamtree to buy health data analytics firm Potential (X)

Beamtree has entered into a binding agreement to acquire 100% of the share of Potential(x), a complementary and market leading health & human services data analytics firm. Duane Attree, majority shareholder, will join Beamtree’s executive team. Potnetiel9x) is an Australian pioneer in health data and provide most public and private hospitals in the country with cutting edge comparative analytics that support improvement in quality and in the value of care. Over the 26 years of its operation, it has developed un rivalled expertise in health data collection, standardisation and the benchmarking of clinical and financial outcomes

9. NCS kicks digital into overdrive amid triple acquisition in Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong

NCS has unveiled plans to acquire three technology providers across Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong, expanding digital capabilities at pace with a specific focus on data analytics and cloud. The Singapore-based business — operating as a technology division of Singtel — has reached agreements to take control of ClayOPS, Riley and Velocity Business Solutions, motivated by a desire to evolve into a B2B services specialist developing “new engines of growth”. Specifically, ClayOPS goes to market as a Singapore-based data analytics and consulting services firm while Riley operates as a leading Australian cloud-based solutions consultancy. This is in addition to Velocity Business Solutions, a Hong Kong-based data analytics firm that provides a full suite of data analytics consulting and implementation services.