Browne Jacobson advises database managed services business DSP on latest acquisition of Explorer UK

Browne Jacobson’s corporate team has successfully advised database and cloud managed services provider, DSP, on its acquisition of Leeds based Explorer UK, a specialist database and infrastructure solutions provider for an undisclosed consideration.

The deal will see DSP become one of the UK’s leading managed services and database technology services group and one of the largest independent Oracle partners in the country.

As part of the deal Explorer founder, Ian Thomason, will join the DSP Group board with Simon Goodenough becoming Group CEO.

Established in 1999 DSP is one of the UK’s leading providers of 'Next Generation' Database and Data Platform Managed Services across Oracle, Microsoft and Open Source architectures for a wide range of mid-market and FTSE 100 clients operating in the domestic and global financial services, retail, manufacturing, energy & utilities, rail and logistics sectors.

Corporate finance partner Paul McCannah led the Browne Jacobson team, alongside Victoria Hustler and Sian Harrison (corporate) and James Busby and Patrick Berry (banking).

Simon Goodenough, CEO of DSP, said: “This really is a case of one and one makes three. It’s great news for our team, customers, partners and investors that we have been able to bring together two of the UK’s most renowned database management specialists at such a pivotal time for our industry. Our shared market knowledge and similar cultures make this an ideal fit, and together we have the scale and momentum to continue our ambitious growth plans.

“We very much see the team at Browne Jacobson as an extension of our business and once again Paul and his colleagues have pulled out all the stops to get the deal over the line.”

This is the fifth transaction Browne Jacobson has advised DSP on and follows on from the YFM Equity Partners backed management buyout of DSP back in 2018. It is the latest in a series of transactions advised by the firm in the growing UK technology sector which recently included the $26million sale of Liverpool-based video feedback platform LivingLens to NYSE-listed buyer Medallia, the sale of biometric fingerprint technology solutions provider Biosite to the ASSA ABLOY Group and advising digital-first insurance broker Digital Risks on a $10.4m Series A funding round.

Paul McCannah, partner at Browne Jacobson, added:

“This acquisition is a significant chapter in the DSP journey which we have supported from the start and we are delighted to continue to be a part of.”

Browne Jacobson’s 30 strong corporate finance team is consistently ranked as one of the ten most active M & A advisers in the UK according to Experian.