DWF LLP has advised Equiniti Group plc on its acquisition of Marketing Source and Gateway2finance.
Equiniti, the specialist technology outsourcer, provides non-discretionary payment and administration services to blue-chip companies and Government and retail investors in the UK. These latest acquisitions are further examples of Equiniti’s growth strategy of integrating scalable technology platforms to provide regulation-driven, technology-enabled services.
Marketing Source, based in Exeter, is a data analytics and cyber security business which helps clients mitigate risk and improve effective customer targeting through data analytics, identity checking and cyber security products. The business is aligned with Equiniti's strategy of providing regulatory-driven, technology-enabled specialist services, and the offering is particularly relevant for major retail banks, challenger banks, retail clients and other consumer facing businesses, including utilities. These businesses face the challenge of ensuring that data is reliable, analysed effectively and handled in a compliant way, which minimises the risks of cyber security breaches.
Marketing Source’s cyber security products primarily target financial services firms and consumer brands focussing on prevention of email fraud and phishing scams.
Gateway2finance, based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, is a loan brokerage firm. Its mortgage and consumer credit expertise will support Equiniti’s strategy to promote loan, mortgage and technology solutions to meet the requirements of the fast-moving credit market place, and provides Equiniti with the necessary licensing to access the high-growth loans BPO market.
Commenting on the acquisitions, Guy Wakeley, Chief Executive at Equiniti, said:
“We are delighted to announce the acquisitions of Marketing Source and Gateway2finance. Both businesses are strongly aligned with the Group strategy of providing regulatory-driven, technology-enabled services, primarily to the financial services sector, and will contribute to organic growth as we leverage our cross-sell opportunities to existing clients.”
The DWF team, who worked on the Marketing Source acquisition, consisted of Frank Shephard, Vicky Ross, James Cashman, Francesca Kinsella and Deborah Payne (Corporate).
The DWF team, who worked on the Gateway2finance acquisition, consisted of Frank Shephard, Richard Tall, James Cashman and Nick Hawthorne (Corporate).
Frank Shephard, Head of Corporate at DWF, said ‘We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with Equiniti as it continues with its strategy of providing regulatory-driven, technology-enabled services. Our sector based expertise in Fintech and regulatory advice to financial services businesses sits at the core of the advice the team provides and the added value we can bring to clients.’
