'digital service delivery'11 Jul 2024 06:17
At June’s Capital Markets Day event Capita CEO Adolfo Hernandez outlined how the businesses remaining standalone software assets were to be “managed for value” (see *UKHotViewsExtra* Capita’s big new plan). We now know what that means for the biggest of these software businesses with this morning’s announcement that Capita One, the Local Government software suite (covering revs & bens, housing and education) is to be sold to Orchard Information Systems, a subsidiary of MRI Software, in a deal that values Capita One at £200m on a cash-free, debt-free basis. Ohio, headquartered, MRI Software already operates in some of Capita One’s markets, notably housing, having acquired Orchard Information Systems and Castleton Technology back in 2020. In 2023 Capita One generated revenue and EBITDA of £55m and c.£21m respectively.
Initial thoughts are that the deal looks good for both parties, Capita has agreed a good price (£200m represents a c.10x multiple on 2023 EBITDA of c.£21m) for a software business that whilst profitable, needed significant levels of investment to remain competitive long term. MRI/Orchard have acquired a business that is profitable with strong market shares, and that significantly expands their presence in UK Local Government. Should significant investment follow, Local Government and Housing association clients should also benefit.
Offloading Capita One is not a surprise and will free up proceeds for Capita’s latest and much needed transformation programme, as Hernandez looks to drag the BPS provider fully into digital service delivery. The Disposal is expected to complete towards the end of August, subject to the approval of Capita's shareholders and regulators.
https://www.techmarketview.com/ukhotviews/archive/2024/07/09/capita-one-sold-to-mri-for-200m