Posted: 7 July 2014

Further growth planned at bChannels following MBO

Further growth planned at bChannels following MBO

WestBridge invests in bChannels, a provider of outsourced marketing services and customer engagement strategies to global technology companies.

The deal, backed by private equity house WestBridge Capital, also includes a significant amount of development capital to enable bChannels to pursue ambitious plans for further growth.

The business, an authority in the provision of outsourced marketing services and customer engagement strategies to global technology companies, employs 126 staff at its headquarters in Oxford and has offices in the USA and Australia.

bChannels has deep relationships with its blue chip customer base, which includes eighteen of the top twenty largest global technology companies.

Rowland-Jones set up the company in 1999 with colleague Phil Gowing. He said:

"Although bChannels is already in a very strong position with an enviable portfolio of clients, this transaction provides us with the opportunity to capitalise on further growth opportunities and expand our key client account programme.

"We are the trusted adviser to many global technology customers and the next phase of our development will allow us to continue to enhance our clients' sales growth initiatives.

"We are particularly pleased to have backing from WestBridge Capital. They have a proven track record in the technology sector and a partnership approach to investment which sees them contributing to the business over and above the provision of investment monies."

Valerie Kendall, a partner at WestBridge Capital, will join the board of bChannels. She said:

"We have been so impressed by the management team at bChannels. They have consistently demonstrated their commitment to their clients, and the respect in which they are held is a testament to their thought leadership in this niche. We are truly excited to be working with this engaging and professional team.

"bChannels is a very highly regarded business and its value will be further enhanced as the team builds on its strategic approach to business development.

"Working closely together, we've already identified and agreed a number of key strategies for growing the business over the next few years."

Tony Stratton will remain non-executive chairman at bChannels. He said:

"I am delighted to be able to continue in this role. Matt and his team are strong, client centric, professional operators who've built an exceptionally well positioned business.

"I'm looking forward to continuing to work with them and with WestBridge Capital to take bChannels to the next level over the next few years by taking full advantage of the many market opportunities available."

Myles Halley, chairman of RCapital said: "After working with this management team for two years, we are delighted at their performance over this period. We believe that with WestBridge Capital's detailed knowledge in this sector, bChannels will go from strength to strength."

Tom Kelleher of Capital Law and Laura Shaw of BDO advised WestBridge Capital in the transaction, while Andrew Tacon of Grant Thornton and Michael Stace of Morgan Cole advised management.

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