Ipswich secretarial software company set for Bright future

11 Nov, 2024
Newsdesk
Law firm Birketts which has offices across the East of England and the wider UK has advised the majority shareholders of Anglia Registrars (trading as Inform Direct) on its sale to Bright Software Group.
Thumbnail
Rachel Astill. Courtesy – Birketts.

Ipswich-based Inform Direct, a leader in company secretarial software tailored for accountants, bookkeepers and SMEs was acquired by tax, compliance, payroll, bookkeeping, and practice management software provider, Bright for an undisclosed sum.

The Birketts team was supervised by James Austin (Partner, Corporate) and lead by Rachel Astill (Legal Director, Corporate). Supporting on the deal were Dominic Cowie (Solicitor, Corporate), Ella Patten (Trainee Solicitor, Corporate), Anthony Metcalfe Gibson (Senior Associate, Employee Incentives) and Emma Nel (Solicitor, Corporate Tax).

Henry Catchpole, CEO of Inform Direct said: “Joining Bright presents an exciting opportunity to further our innovation journey. Together, we aim to empower our customers to deliver high-quality, efficient services and enhance the daily operations of accounting professionals and SMEs throughout the UK. I would like to thank Rachel and the Birketts team for their hard work, professional advice and assistance, moving the deal through on a tight deadline.”

Rachel Astill, Legal Director at Birketts, added: “We are delighted to have worked with the shareholders of Inform Direct on the sale to Bright. We would like to wish Henry and the Inform Direct team the best of luck for the future.”

Stephen Murdoch, CEO of Bright Software Group, said: "This combination will complement our growth strategy and our vision to power the digital practice of tomorrow, today. We are committed to enhancing our product offerings through continuous development and strategic acquisitions that deliver value to our customers.

“The Inform Direct team shares our dedication to a customer-centric approach, further accelerating our strategy to create an integrated, cloud-native solution that encompasses the entire accounting lifecycle, from bookkeeping to tax filing."

Birketts also recently acted for the shareholders of Essex-based Eagle Automation Systems Limited (Eagle Automation) on its entire issued share capital sale to Sdiptech.

Eagle Automation designs, manufactures and assembles high-quality perimeter security and hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) products. Stockholm-based Sdiptech is a technology group focused on infrastructure that acquires and develops companies, contributing to creating more sustainable, efficient and safer societies.

The Birketts Team that worked on the deal consisted of James Allen (Partner, Corporate), Rachel Astill (Legal Director, Corporate), Macauley Alsford-White (Associate, Corporate), Ella Patten (Trainee Solicitor, Corporate), Emma Nel (Solicitor, Corporate Tax), Joris Salden (Solicitor, Commercial Real Estate).

James Allen, Partner at Birketts said: “It has been a pleasure to work alongside David Ashby on the sale of Eagle Automation to Sdiptech. The perimeter security sector looks set to continue its fast growth, and we look forward to monitoring the success of Eagle Automation under its new owner.”

David Ashby, CEO of Eagle Automation added: “This sale marks an important milestone in the growth Eagle Automation. As security threats continue to increase, particularly around vehicle-based risks, we remain committed to delivering best-in-class solutions that protect people and property.

“This partnership with Sdiptech will allow us to expand our international footprint and continue to innovate in the field of hostile vehicle mitigation. A big thanks to James and all the Birketts Team for their timely and pragmatic advice and expertise throughout the deal.”