Glasgow-based technology business SVL Business Solutions has been acquired by FourNet, the Manchester-headquartered customer experience and AI transformation partner.
Founded as Sinclair Voicenet in 1967, SVL employs 41 people and provides technology and services that help organisations enhance their customer and employee experience in contact centres.
The deal brings together two businesses that have worked alongside each other for nearly a decade, including supporting shared customers in mission-critical public safety services.
Both businesses have relationships with many of the same technology partners, including the global technology provider, NiCE.
SVL works with organisations across enterprise, financial services, utilities and public safety, where reliability, regulatory compliance and service continuity are critical.
Over the past five years, the company’s longstanding specialist expertise in interaction recording, analytics and workforce management has broadened into wider customer experience transformation and AI.
SVL customers will continue to work with the same people, while gaining access to FourNet’s wider team and capabilities in customer experience, AI and cybersecurity.
David Kindness, CEO of SVL Business Solutions, said: “SVL has a history stretching back to 1967, and the UK-wide business we have built from Glasgow reflects the expertise of our people and the trust our customers place in them.
“Choosing the right partner for the next stage was about protecting those strengths and giving our people and customers more opportunities. We know FourNet well, having worked together for many years, and we share the same commitment to specialist expertise and excellent service.
“Joining FourNet gives us the support of a larger business, access to additional capabilities and a strong platform for SVL’s continued growth.”
The acquisition takes FourNet’s UK team to more than 230 people, serving over 450 customers, with annual revenues of around £65m.
The acquisition also builds FourNet’s presence in Scotland, where it already has mission-critical customers, and adds specialist skills and delivery capacity to its customer experience and AI business.
It also strengthens FourNet’s position in financial services, an area of growth for the business, where both companies help customers improve service while meeting demanding security and regulatory requirements.
Richard Pennington, co-founder and CEO of FourNet, said: “While its heritage is Scottish, SVL has built a respected UK-wide business with talented people, longstanding customer relationships and specialist expertise developed over almost six decades. Having worked alongside the team for nearly ten years, we know the quality of its work and the care it takes with its customers.
“That is what attracted us to SVL. Its strengths in recording, analytics and workforce management complement our own, and its wider work in customer experience and AI makes this a natural next step for both businesses.
“Together, we can give customers more support as they introduce AI into everyday services, from identifying where it will help customers and staff to making sure it works securely and reliably.”
FourNet has confirmed that the future of the Glasgow office and workforce is secure and that the company is actively recruiting for new roles in Scotland.
FourNet combines consultancy, customer experience and AI transformation expertise with cybersecurity and operational capabilities.
FourNet is backed by Palatine Private Equity, which supports its growth through investment in the business and acquisitions.
James Painter, partner at Palatine, FourNet’s private equity backer since 2021, said: “SVL represents a highly strategic acquisition for FourNet given the complementary customer base and technology partnerships. It brings specialist expertise which strengthens FourNet’s customer experience transformation proposition into mission-critical sectors.
“This is FourNet’s fifth acquisition since 2020, and we are delighted to continue to support Richard Pennington and the management team as they build a unique platform in the sector through a combination of organic growth and carefully selected acquisitions.”
