Employment law specialist Law At Work has announced three acquisitions by parent company Marlowe.
For a combined £5.15m, the business has bought Dundee-based HR software provider Youmanage; employment law firm and technology business ESPHR; and third sector specialist HR Services Partnership (HRSP).
Magnus Swanson, chairman of Law At Work, said: “Since becoming part of Marlowe, our ambition has been to acquire further businesses that complement our own, in order to strengthen the services we provide to our clients.
"These acquisitions reinforce our current offering with more high-quality legal expertise, market-leading software and greater capability in our HR consultancy offering.”
Reinforcing Law At Work and Ellis Whittam’s software offering, Youmanage helps employers improve the effectiveness of their HR management processes through subscription-based technology.
Based in Dundee, the company supports approximately 200 clients, having developed a platform that addresses the needs of both smaller and larger organisations.
Youmanage was acquired for a total consideration of £1.25m, comprising a £750,000 upfront consideration and a deferred element of £500,000.
Nick Pye, chief executive at Youmanage, said: “Technology is set to play an increasingly important role in the delivery of HR and advisory services to business owners, HR professionals and people managers alike.
"The entire Youmanage team look forward to working with Law At Work and the Marlowe group of companies to provide technological advances in the HR tech space.”
ESPHR is a new model employment law firm and ER technology business comprised of a 14-strong team.
Established in 2003, the organisation now supports some 170 retained clients – including Greene King, Randstad and Entain.
The Woking-based employment law compliance specialist was acquired for a total consideration of £3.2m, comprising a £2.5m upfront consideration and a deferred element of £700,000.
Building on Law At Work and Ellis Whittam’s presence in the third sector, HRSP specialises in delivering bespoke HR support to charities and not-for-profit organisations.
Its team of 21 HR consultants provides project-based and retained support to around 200 clients each year.
Located in Horsham, the company has an annual turnover of £1m and was acquired for a total consideration of £700,000.
Law At Work has offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, as well as London and Gateshead.
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