Beech Tree exits Transparity with a sale to Bowmark Capital

 

Bowmark Capital, the mid-market private equity firm, has made an investment in Transparity, a leading Microsoft technology partner.  The transaction provides an exit for Beech Tree, which invested in the company in 2020.

 

Transparity is a high growth Microsoft services partner providing digital transformation solutions focused on cloud infrastructure, application development, cyber security, data and AI.  The company has over 260 UK-based employees who together hold more than 1,000 Microsoft technical certifications.  It holds all six Microsoft Solution Partner designations as well as Azure Expert MSP status.

 

Transparity’s solutions and services cover Data, AI, Azure, Power Platform, Dynamics, Cyber and Digital Workplace, which it provides to over 500 customers. The combination of its alignment with these high demand technologies, its strong technical capabilities and its customer-centric approach, has enabled Transparity to deliver annual organic revenue growth of over 25%.  It was also recently ranked as the 17th best technology company to work for in the UK.  

 

Bowmark has a long track record of investing in technology services companies.  Its partnership with Transparity will help the company continue its strong growth momentum through investment in data engineering and AI skills, capability expansion into emerging technologies and selective UK and European acquisitions to strengthen Transparity’s ability to deliver for its customers.

 

Beech Tree, a leading lower mid-market investor in the sector, has worked closely with Transparity over the last three and a half years as the company has significantly developed its Microsoft capabilities, expanded its product offering, invested in its people and culture, completed key strategic bolt-on acquisitions and delivered strong organic growth.

 

In a joint statement, Paul Bolt, CEO and David Jobbins, Chairman said: “When we first met Adam and the team at Beech Tree, there was an immediate cultural alignment and clear evidence of their sector knowledge. Together we have built a market-leading management team and a truly special business.  We are now excited to be partnering with Bowmark who share the vision of our full potential and differentiated market position. Our plans involve the creation of over 100 new roles in the UK, an apprentice driven academy, AI-led IP investments and a look at the broader EMEA opportunity. The future will be based on continued organic growth and a well-considered M&A strategy. Thank you to everyone who has been involved over the years -employees, customers and partners, as we always say, the best years of Transparity are ahead of us.”

 

Bowmark Investment Director, Fiona McCormick, added: “We are delighted to be supporting such an impressive team who have built a genuinely differentiated, high growth business. Transparity’s combination of technical depth, employee-centric culture and Microsoft alignment mean that it is strongly positioned to deliver transformative outcomes for its customers. We look forward to helping Transparity capitalise on the significant opportunity ahead.”    

 

Adam Rudd, Partner at Beech Tree Private Equity, commented: “It has been an incredible journey working alongside the Transparity team. When we backed them in 2020, we saw the potential to build a market-leading business in the Microsoft ecosystem. I am really proud of what the team have accomplished. They have created the standout Microsoft Cloud partner in the UK, if not across Europe. Together, we have bolstered strong organic growth with strategic acquisitions, enabling us to expand our capabilities and cross-sell services to our customer base. We have truly enjoyed collaborating with the Transparity team and wish them all the best for the future. I am confident that with Bowmark's sector knowledge and support, they will continue their journey to become the #1 Microsoft Partner across Europe

 

‍