Galway-based EssentialSkillz acquired for €29.6 million

EssentialSkillz, a Galway-based cloud-based e-learning and compliance software provider, was acquired in a £25 million (€29.6 million) deal.

The buyer is Marlowe, the London-listed security systems services company, which is proposing a share offering to raise £50m to fund the deal and for additional acquisitions.

Marlowe said the acquisition will increase operating rate revenue and adjusted earnings to £335 million and £60 million respectively, and is expected to be a « profit increase » in the first full year of ownership.

Marlowe said the acquisition will generate more than 10 percent of the group’s run rate revenue from cloud-based solutions.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Tony and Michelle Dervan in 2001, EssentialSkillz has over 500 small and medium business clients. It generates £4.5 million in revenue, adjusted for 95 per cent of total revenue. The company’s net assets were around 2.3 million pounds at the end of last year.

EssentialSkillz has a popular solution called WorkWize that helps organizations meet risk and compliance needs. It also offers more than 70 customizable e-learning courses focusing on health, safety, business protection, and wellbeing.

Marlowe, which is targeting £100m operating rate revenue by the end of 2024, is issuing 5,512,679 new 50p common shares at 907p per share to fund the EssentialSkillz deal.

“This acquisition of EssentialSkillz is the next step in our strategy to become the leader in the compliance software market. EssentialSkillz is a leading provider of SaaS compliance and e-learning at scale, and its integration with our new WorkNest platform enhances Offer comprehensive regulatory compliance to our clients.

Marlowe has made 20 acquisitions this year, spending more than £196m since the start of the year.