London – February 21st, 2020 – WTA is pleased to announce the sale of EPM, a leading provider of specialist integrated software and consultancy services to the public transport sector.
Founded in 1987 and based in Bromsgrove, EPM works with all major bus groups, larger operators and independents providing software to support their business processes and manage their revenue streams. The business has developed and maintained its own software IP over the last 25 years, with its latest generation solutions delivering modular components covering the breadth of bus operations.
EPM has built a loyal customer base since the privatisation of the bus industry in the 1980’s and the business is supported by solid recurring software maintenance revenues.
With Literacy Capital’s backing, EPM will be looking to deepen its foothold in bus operations through additional software modules, a move towards SaaS-based solutions and continue expanding its international footprint into markets with similar characteristics to the UK sector.
Literacy Capital has also actively supported EPM in strengthening its senior leadership team, with the appointment of a new CEO, Ian Churchill, at completion. Ian was formerly the CEO of the voice productivity software business BigHand, backed by Bridgepoint, and has held several senior executive roles at Capita.
EPM represents Literacy Capital’s twelfth platform investment completed since the inception of the fund in September 2017.
WTA worked with the company as their M&A advisor, seeking the best strategic partner for the future of the business.
Mat Hanlon, Director at EPM, spoke of WTA’s role “Working with WTA as our advisors was a pleasure. They demonstrated a deep understanding of our market and were able to guide us strategically through the process. I would have no hesitation in recommending them to any technology company going to market.”
Alan Butterworth, WTA’s partner with responsibility for transport and smart city technology, said “This transaction further establishes WTA as one of the lead specialists in software and technology mid-market sector with our third deal in the rapidly consolidating traffic, transport and logistics market segments”.