20th December 2024
As we reach the end of 2024, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on what has been a busy and rewarding year at FPE. From new investments and bolt-on acquisitions to team promotions and events that brought our portfolio companies together, this year has been about identifying new avenues for growth and embracing innovation.
Technology is continuing to play a transformative role across industries, accelerated even further by the adoption of Generative AI. Our portfolio of software and data companies are enablers of this transformation, and we are proud to support them as they navigate the opportunities ahead. Here’s a look back at some of our highlights from 2024:
January: A Strong Start to the Year
- We started the year with a bang by being named as a finalist for the Real Deals Private Equity Awards 2024 in the 'PE House of the Year - Small-Cap' category recognising the overall evolution of the firm.
- Published "Success Through Focus", a document that highlights who we are, what we stand for, and what sets us apart as a specialist investor in software, data, and software services.
February: A Month of Bolt-Ons
- Egress Group acquired Stalis, specialists in healthcare data migration and archiving, creating a comprehensive data management proposition for the UK healthcare sector.
- Codestone acquired Cloud Business, enhancing its Microsoft security and infrastructure capabilities and complementing its strategy of becoming the go to digital transformation partner for mid-size UK companies.
- Held our first in-person CMO Forum, bringing together portfolio Heads of Marketing for valuable discussions on GTM planning, ABM strategies and much more, alongside valuable networking and collaboration.
March: Team Growth
- Chris Kay promoted to Partner, acknowledging his contributions to investments including TNP, MaxContact, Codestone, 15Gifts, and NoBlue2 and his contributions to the wider company, underscoring FPE’s commitment to the long-term development of the firm.
- Llewellyn John spoke at the Real Deals Tech Innovation Conference on supporting portfolio companies through digital transformation.
April: Sharing Industry Expertise
- Henry Sallitt spoke at the Real Deals Summit on mid-market private equity’s role in economic growth, discussing market specialisation and the challenges of exit markets.
- Co-hosted a breakfast event with Boardwave, exploring the transition from founder-led to scalable B2B software sales, featuring insights from industry leaders – read the insights here.
May: Scaling Ambitions
- Invested in Vanda, a leading provider of specialist research and data products for institutional capital markets investors.
- Intragen acquired AspisID, expanding its IAM consulting expertise and geographical reach with a Dutch HQ and Athens-based delivery team.
- Chris Kay spoke at BVCA’s Accelerate Conference, discussing growth challenges and opportunities amid macroeconomic shifts and evolving ESG perceptions.
- Brought together our group of international investors in London for our Annual General Meeting and an opportunity to interact with our entire team and some of our portfolio companies.
June: Building Connections
- Held our 8th annual FPE Growth Conference, welcoming over 70 CEOs, Chairs, and senior leaders to discuss industry themes, collaboration and networking. Watch the highlights video here.
- Celebrated the promotion of Harriet Hunt and Claire Sweet to Investment Director, reflecting their contribution to FPE’s success and our commitment to nurturing internal talent.
July: Rising to the Challenge
- Completed the Three Peaks Challenge, raising £21K for Cure Parkinson’s through teamwork and determination.
- Intragen acquired Atlas Identity, a fast-growing IAM service provider recognized in the Sunday Times 100, further cementing its market leadership.
September: Supporting Technology Leadership
- Hosted our CTO Forum, bringing together technology leaders from across the portfolio to share knowledge and best practices in managing innovation and scaling technology.
- Shortlisted for the Mergermarket British Private Equity Awards, ‘Small Buyout House of the Year’ category, honouring innovation and excellence.
October: Embracing Innovation
- Hosted the second CMO Forum, focusing on AI’s transformative role in marketing, with insights from Sarah Aird-Mash on staying competitive in the AI revolution. Read more about this here.
- Invested in Point74, a leading Food Lifecycle Management software provider for the food manufacturing sector.
November: Sharing Insights
- Kenny Miller joined a panel at the Private Funds CFO Network Forum to discuss fund finance trends, including subscription financing and NAV loan markets.
- Llewellyn John participated in the Real Deals Value Creation Conference, sharing insights on unlocking value through digital transformation and AI.
December: Bringing 2024 to a Strong Close
- Just before Christmas, we completed our eighth investment from FPE Fund III - our fifth in data and business information and we look forward to announcing this exciting milestone in early 2025. Keep an eye out for news in the new year!
As we reflect on the achievements of the past year, we want to thank our portfolio companies, partners, and team for their trust and collaboration. Together, we’re excited to continue building momentum into 2025 and beyond.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!