ECI makes 8x multiple on ClarityBlue sale

ClarityBlue designs, builds and manages marketing databases for large companies with millions of customers. Its solutions enable these companies to make better informed business decisions primarily in targeting and acquiring new customers and retaining existing customers.

ECI backed a £10m MBO in 2003 from Nasdaq listed Sand Technology. Since ECI’s investment ClarityBlue has grown rapidly, establishing itself as a key service provider to blue chip clients such as Barclaycard, Orange, Wanadoo and BSkyB. Sales have grown over 40% per annum from £11m in 2003 to approximately £30m this financial year. The company currently employs over 165 staff.

ECI provided strategic and financial support to ClarityBlue throughout the investment period and introduced Andrew Vaughan, previously CEO of Workplace Technologies, as chairman at the time of the buyout.

The exit of ClarityBlue continues ECI’s track record of success in the IT sector. Its significant experience in the sector allowed it to identify the potential of the business at the outset and complete the MBO within the tight timescale set by the vendor. ECI’s previous successful IT investments include Guardian iT, NCC and OSI. Its current investments in the sector include WCI, Anix and EDM.

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