Waracle inks deal to acquire Glasgow’s Screenmedia

With its expertise in mobile app, digital product development and artificial intelligence, the acquisition pairs the 145-strong team at Waracle – which has offices in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee – with Screenmedia’s award-winning team of 60 to take Waracle to over 200 employees.

Backed by BGF, Waracle serves clients like Lloyds Group, Royal London, and ScottishPower, while Screenmedia boasts collaborations with the Edrington, BBC, NHS, Channel 4, and Next. The acquisition expands Waracle’s reach into new sectors, including transportation, retail, and the third sector. Screenmedia also has a Bafta on its boardroom shelf for Best Interactive Media.

Chris Martin will be CEO of the new combined operation while Kenny Shaw will step back from day-to-day operations as Screenmedia become part of Waracle.

“We are ready for the new wave of AI-enhanced, intelligent customer experiences,” said Mr 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.”

Mr 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.”

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

“We want to continue to employ talented technologists to solve our clients’ digital problems and be able to service changing client needs across the UK by covering a wider range of technologies like service design, artificial intelligence and sensors.

“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.

“We want to capitalise on our reputation as an unrivalled mobile development partner and continue to take those problem-solving abilities across the UK, to make sure that technology challenges are being addressed by talented, local and engaged teams rather than near-shoring or off-shoring solutions.”

The acquisition provides a foundation for continued growth for Waracle, which over the last 16 years have grown from a university spin-out to revenues of over £20 million.