Due to historical links with another well-known Yorkshire technology business, Callcredit, we were introduced to the Smartsearch management team in early 2019. Following a number of meetings with the team, led by Paul Mann and Julian Ciecierski-Burns, we were appointed to advise this anti-money laundering software business on Project Skyfall.
The asset was extremely sought after and led to a minority investment from Marlin Private Equity Partners, which signed in late August 2019 and completed during October.
The timelines were very challenging and while a number of people remember the famous Ben Stokes innings at Headingley, we were trying to negotiate final deal points and take instructions! Subsequently, we have continued to advise the business on its growth, future investment and opening of overseas offces, which ultimately led to us advising the shareholders and management team on the sale to Triple Private Equity that completed in Q2 2024.
“We have worked with Paul, Julian and the Squire Patton Boggs team for circa six years now and have developed a long-standing and trusted relationship. The team expertly led us through the original Marlin investment in 2019, a number of different workstreams in the intervening period and then delivered the Triple investment, which completed earlier in 2024. They stand out with their knowledge of our business and their ability to advise a wide range of stakeholders, as well as their incredible work ethic (which is also shared by their wider team!). We have certainly challenged them over the last few years on delivering deals to accelerated timescales and, without fail, they have delivered – I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Squire Patton Boggs to anyone and, in fact, have done so on a number of occasions in the last few years.”
Mike Green, Executive Chairman, Smartsearch
