Mobeus checks in to Access-IS

 

Mobeus backs market-leading data-capture business

 

Mobeus Equity Partners has made a significant investment to support the management team in growing electronic data-capture solutions provider, Access-IS.

Mobeus has been tracking the business’s development since 2012, when it was initially introduced to the management team.

 

Founded in 1985 as a specialist keyboard maker, today Access-IS designs and manufactures equipment that enables fast and accurate capture and transfer of information into electronic systems based on bar codes, RFID and image processing techniques. The business is based in Reading and exports 80% of its sales to global customers in its main verticals: Airlines and Airports, Identity and Security, Public Transport and Ticketing.

 

Access-IS is a market leader in Airlines and Airports with its hardware present in more than 200 airports, including 36 of the world’s top 50. Within the ID and security market, Access-IS is the leading global provider to the fast-growing video ATM market and supports customers across a range of ID verification and Know Your Customer applications. Access-IS has also seen rapid growth in its Transport and Ticketing business having had its technology deployed in ticketing barriers in a number of high-profile locations including Kings Cross and Marylebone stations in London. Mobeus’s investment will be used to accelerate growth plans in these large new markets and support the business as it moves into significant volume manufacturing.

 

The management team is led by CEO Guy-Franck Nakach and supported by Chairman Alistair Crawford, former CEO of Psion Plc, CMG and CSC.

 

The transaction represents Mobeus’s fourth new investment of 2015.

 

The deal was introduced to Mobeus by Darren Miller of Spectrum Corporate Finance with management advised by Stewart Lambert of James Cowper. Chris Price led the transaction for Mobeus with Guy Blackburn joining the board.

 

Chris Price, Partner at Mobeus, commented:

“Having tracked Access-IS for three years, Mobeus is delighted to have secured an investment in a business we are confident is poised for a period of strong growth. Since our initial introduction to Lorraine Hall and Nigel Bonsor, the high quality management team has been supplemented by the addition of Guy-Franck Nakach (CEO), Colin Williams (FD) and Alistair Crawford (Chairman). Access-IS has established a significant foothold in a number of new exciting market segments and Mobeus looks forward to supporting management’s ongoing strategy.”

 

Guy-Franck Nakach, CEO of Access-IS, said:

“Mobeus made it clear from our first meeting that they bought into our vision for Access. Early in the process, they mobilised senior resource to give us real confidence in their motivation to work alongside us and, having made their offer, delivered it through an intense period of due diligence. We are delighted to welcome Mobeus’s Guy Blackburn to the board and look forward to working alongside our new partners as we build on the successful track record established by Access-IS founder Roger Wylie.”

 

 

 

 

The Share Centre recommends William Hill as a ‘buy’ despite profit warning

 

• William Hill reported that it expects full year profits to be at bottom end of consensus
• The FTSE 250 listed company said UK gambling duties impacted Q3
• The Share Centre currently recommends William Hill as a ‘buy’ for medium risk investors

 

As William Hill updates the market, Ian Forrest, Investment Research Analyst at The Share Centre, explains what it means for investors.

 

“This morning, bookmarker William Hill said that it expects full year operating profits to be around the bottom end of consensus of £290.9m - £312.1m, as Q3 results disappointed the market. Investors should also note that the company stated overall operating profits fell 39% over the period.

 

“William Hill’s CEO said Q3 was always going to be impacted by the strong gross win margin in the same period last year, by which these results are compared. Investors should also acknowledge that these results were impacted by increased UK gambling duties.

 

 

“The company’s book value, compared to its main peers, is attractive for a stock that delivers a strong return on capital employed and a prospective dividend yield of 3.5%. As a result, we continue to recommend William Hill as a ‘buy’ for medium risk investors. Growth in its mobile and online operations and selective international expansion should provide regional, regulatory and economic diversification, while expanding its services to appeal to a wider demographic.”

 

 

 

Winners Of The Inaugural Growth Investor Awards Revealed

 

 

• Countdown's Rachel Riley presents 12 accolades to first winners of the Growth Investor Awards at a dinner for 300 industry leaders at Marriott Grosvenor Square

 

• Octopus named Growth Investor of the Year and Best VCT Investment Manager for ‘using its size and scale to continually innovate’

 

• Kathryn Robertson presented with Industry Champion Award for her contribution to the development of EIS, SEIS, VCT and SITR

 

• Speeches on economic importance of venture capital from Financial Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke MP, and Swoon Editions co-founder Brian Harrison

 

Over 300 market leaders, movers and shakers, and influencers from the SME finance industry gathered at the Marriott Grosvenor Square in London's Mayfair on 22 October to celebrate its contribution to economic growth and honour winners of the inaugural Growth Investor Awards.

 

The Awards are organised by Intelligent Partnership (IP), the UK’s leading provider of research and education on alternative investment, as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of impact and innovation in growth capital.

 

Opening the ceremony, IP's Managing Director Guy Tolhurst said: "Tonight we honour those innovating in financial services and putting investment to work in SME’s. They do things differently. They don’t see venture capital schemes as just a way to save their clients’ tax. They see businesses that can innovate, grow and create new jobs - and in doing so they make us all more prosperous."

 

A short film about growth capital, compiled by Intelligent Partnership and broadcast at the ceremony, included perspectives from founders and industry leaders as well as key statistics. The combined turnover of Britain’s small businesses is £1.2 trillion, they employ £12.1 million people*, and 22,470 High Growth Small Businesses (HGSBs) created 230,000 new jobs last year - accounting for 34% of employment growth and 20% of economic growth**.

 

The economic importance of tax advantaged venture capital schemes was a theme for two keynote speeches at the ceremony. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke MP, highlighted the broader economic impact of the billions that have been invested in SMEs through EIS, SEIS and VCT in terms of employment and tax contributions.

 

David Gauke, said: “It’s important to acknowledge the key role played by growth investors in helping small businesses start, expand, and reach their full potential. The government provides a range of support to encourage this type of investment, including through the tax-advantaged venture capital schemes which have supported more than 22,000 companies to access over £17.5 billion of investment. Without access to the finance they need to develop their vision, companies with great ideas would struggle to fulfil their potential, and Britain would lose out.”

 

Brian Harrison, Co-founder of online furniture retailer Swoon Editions talked about the support beyond investment from those who manage venture capital schemes.

Brian Harrison said: “The relationship we have with our investors is critical to the ongoing success of our business. We take their money very seriously; around half of it has come through tax-advantaged schemes. Support of the ecosystem by government is critical in enabling businesses with high growth potential to flourish and we have definitely benefited from schemes such as EIS.”

 

A two stage judging process to identify 12 winners from 36 finalists was supported by a panel of 35 independent judges. Daniel Kiernan, IP's Research Director who headed up the shortlist, commented: “By designing a judging process around impact beyond investment on investee companies, the Growth Investor Awards enables the industry to demonstrate its unique contribution while differentiating its leading players. The credibility and prestige of these awards comes from an influential Advisory Board and an eminent panel of independent judges.”

 

The biggest winner on the night was Octopus Investments, who won Best VCT Investment Manager and Growth Investor of the Year – the top award. Judges said “Octopus is optimising its size and scale to not only develop their portfolio businesses but drive innovation that is enabling the evolution of the wider industry”.

 

Big individual winners on the night included Kathryn Robertson, who was presented with the Industry Champion Award for her contribution to the development of legislation for EIS, SEIS, VCT and SITR. Carl Lamb of Almary Green was crowned Financial Adviser of the Year. Judges said Carl had “demonstrated a high commitment to awareness, education and promotion of alternative investment - from appearing on local television to writing articles in the regional press”.

 

Other winners included Barclays (Wealth Manager of the Year); MMC Ventures (Best EIS Investment Manager); TIME Investments (Best BPR Investment Manager); Daedalus Partners (Best SEIS Investment Manager); Deepbridge Capital (Most Impactful Investment ); Syndicate Room (Best Investment Platform); and Mercia Technologies (Industry Game Changer).

 

The 2015 Growth Investor Awards campaign is supported by corporate partners including Bovill, DWF LLP, LGBR Capital, Mainspring, Matrix Solutions, MICAP, RAM Capital Partners, Reyker Securities, and RW Blears.

 

Information about this year's winners, judges and criteria for each award can be found at HYPERLINK "http://www.growthinvestorawards.com/"www.growthinvestorawards.com/winners.

 

*Dept for Business, Innovation & Skills

 

** High Growth Small Business Report 2015, Octopus Investments & CEBR