Private equity-backed legal cloud and managed IT provider CTS has acquired iManage partner Tiger Eye, expanding out its portfolio to include application support, as it spells out its vision to become the digital transformation partner for law firms.
Founded in 2006, CTS works within the UK and Irish legal sector, counting Seddons and more recently Thorntons among its customers. In 2018, it received substantial investment (described as a buyout) from lower mid-market investor Tenzing and in 2020, it acquired two legal specialist managed service providers, Sprout IT and City Business Solutions (CBS), in a bid to scale.
CTS says that this latest acquisition will expand its product portfolio to offer integrated application and platform support. CTS CEO Nigel Wright said: “Our clients have emphasised the disjoint between platform and application services expertise. As a sector specialist we are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap. This is our first exciting step into the application services space, as we continue to shape our strategy to support clients on their digital transformation journey.”
Founded in 2005 by managing director Dave Wilson (who was formerly at Interwoven), Tiger Eye is one of iManage’s most successful partners, delivering technical support, training, consultancy and custom development.
We’re told that Tiger Eye will continue to operate independently, and that the senior management team will remain with the business to support the transition.
Wilson said: “Since we launched in 2005, collaboration and teamwork have been at the heart of Tiger Eye. We’re confident that, in CTS, we have found a business that values our signature collaborative ethos, and one that is passionate about the long-term success of both our business and our clients.”
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Tiger Eye in the year ended March 2021 made a profit of £699,352, compared with a profit of £459,643 the financial year before, according to filings on Companies House.
Geoff Hornsby, general manager, EMEA for iManage, said: “We would like to congratulate CTS and our long-standing partners, Tiger Eye, on this news. This is an exciting development for iManage clients and we’re confident they will greatly value the benefits of this innovative new integrated approach between platform and application specialist.”