UK software groups face takeover

Aggressive consolidator Infor could have Iris, Coda and Access Accounting in its sights

Written by Nicholas Neveling

Software companies Iris, Coda and Access Accounting could find themselves under new ownership in 2007 as aggressive consolidator Infor continues to make acquisitions in the sector.

In a research note analysts at AMR Research said that Infor’s strategy involved doubling revenues from $2bn (£1.01bn) to $4bn within three years, a plan that would necessitate further acquisitions to follow up the takeover of FTSE 250 business Systems Union for $3.8bn in April last year.

Advertisement

Industry sources have suggested that the likes of IRIS, Coda and Access Accounting could be the next targets. ‘Obviously Infor is not going to grow just by organic growth, so they must have a massive acquisition strategy in place,’ said one senior executive at a UK business software firm.

Iris’s main backers, Hg Capital, led the £102m MBO of the group in July 2004 and could be eyeing an exit. Iris, however, has emphasised its desire to stay independent.

Coda could also be on the consolidator’s radar. The AIM-listed firm has a market capitalisation of £125.4m, easily within Infor’s reach. Access Accounting has long been touted as a takeover target.

Tags:

  • Have your say
  • Send to a friend
  • Share
  • Print

Comments

White papers

Related jobs

More Accounting jobs

Spotlight

The Top 50 +50 survey 2009

All the news, views and analysis on our 2009 Top...

Elizabeth Rumsey, Virgin Galactic's FD

Profile: Elizabeth Rumsey, Virgin Galactic's FD

While Richard Branson and his Virgin Galactic team chase the...

How To guides

The archive of Accountancy Age's How To guides

Find your next job

Find your next job
Salary Checker

Job of the week

More finance jobs

Newsletters

Sign up here for the very latest news delivered to your inbox. Choose from the following options:

Your next job

Have your say

Should chancellor Alistair Darling lose his job for claiming for tax advice?
Yes
No

Advertisement

Search white papers

Search white papers

Advertisement

Advertisement