Civica acquires IPL to boost digital transformation offering

Civica has acquired “digital transformation” specialist IPL Group. IPL, based in Bath, specialises in designing, building and managing secure business-critical software solutions for customers in both public and private sectors.

IPL has core capabilities in digital and mobile solutions, data management and analytics, which will all be used to enhance outsourcer Civica’s offering. “The acquisition extends Civica’s position as a leading digital partner for its markets with a combined specialist capability within the group, comprising more than 750 people and related annual revenues approaching £90 million,” said Civica.

IPL has a 37-year history of delivering secure software solutions to help improve customer experience, operational efficiency and risk management for more than 400 organisations across government, security and intelligence, transport, infrastructure and financial service sectors.

IPL customers include the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Environment Agency, Highways England, Nationwide Building Society, First Group and Kent Police. New contracts this year include Airbus, the Marine Management Organisation, Oxford Instruments and Ordnance Survey.

Simon Downing, group chief executive of Civica, said: “Organisations in both public and private sectors are looking to transform the way they work to engage customers more effectively and operate more efficiently, and there is increasing recognition that improvement is dependent on digital technology and automation.

“IPL brings specialist expertise and the combined business creates a market-leading digital solutions capability well placed to respond to the needs of customers.”

Paul Jobbins, chief executive of IPL Group, said: “This is an exciting development for our customers, partners and employees. IPL’s skills, knowledge and capabilities are complementary to Civica’s, enabling the combined business to offer a broader range of solutions to a wider customer base at an important time in the market.” The value of the deal has not been disclosed.

@AntonySavvas