Waracle acquires Screenmedia

Dundee-headquartered technology services company Waracle has agreed a deal to acquire Screenmedia, the Glasgow-based design and software engineering agency.

The acquisition pairs the 145-strong team at Waracle – with its expertise in mobile app, digital product development and artificial intelligence – with Screenmedia’s team of 60, which specialises in user experiences across web and mobile, working with the likes of Edrington, BBC, NHS, Channel 4, Next and Honeywell.

Waracle, which also has offices in London, Glasgow and Edinburgh, is making a strategic move to bolster its digital product development and AI offerings.

Chris Martin will continue as chief executive of the combined operation, while Kenny Shaw will step back from day-to-day operations at Screenmedia become part of Waracle.

“We are ready for the new wave of AI-enhanced, intelligent customer experiences,” said Martin. “This is a strategic business decision to continue our growth.

“We reviewed what we needed to succeed going forward and this acquisition was a key part of the answer.”

Waracle, which is backed by BGF, has a client base that includes Lloyds Banking Group, Royal London, ScottishPower, Roche and Imperial College London. The acquisition – for an undisclosed sum – should allow it to branch into new sectors, adding transportation, retail and the third sector to primary industries of health, energy and financial services.

Shaw said: “Waracle has an impressive track record across regulated industries and our team at Screenmedia have a broad cross-section of sector experience.

“I think our new, combined organisation will make us a formidable force in Scotland’s technology consultancy space.”

Martin added: “This is the first step in our ambitious plans to grow by acquiring design and technology services agencies with complementary skillsets.

“There are a lot of large, London-based technology consultancies attempting to grow their presence north of the border – we are doing the same in England and we have a strong and growing team there with ambitious plans for further acquisitions.”

During the last 16 years, Waracle has grown from an Abertay University spin-out to revenues of more than £20m.

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