Leading early careers recruitment technology firm secures £17.6 million investment

Amberjack, a leading company delivering Early Careers and large scale recruitment programmes for blue chip organisations, has secured an £17.6 million investment from leading mid-market private equity investor LDC.

Based in Newbury, Berkshire, Amberjack provides its specialist services and software products to many of the UK’s largest employers, with a particular focus on Early Careers candidates - specifically graduates, school leavers and apprenticeship programmes. It uses proprietary cloud-based software tools to automate processes, manage application volumes and provide data driven insights to help assess and select candidates and also provide a professional experience to candidates. Its clients include major organisations such as Unilever, GSK, Mars, Network Rail, BP, Heathrow Airport, Virgin Media Liberty Global and members of the Big Four.

LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, has invested £17.6 million of equity to support a management buy-out and accelerate the business’s growth strategy, including providing capital to support investment in the software and technology propositions and help the business to explore complementary acquisitions to broaden its service offering.

Amberjack’s services and software supports over 300,000 people start their career every year, and the business has grown by more than 15% per annum since it was founded in 2000. Its expert in-house team have extensive knowledge and experience in designing and managing successful Early Careers and large scale recruitment programmes.

James Cowper Kreston acted as buy side advisors to LDC during the transaction.

LDC is backing Amberjack’s existing management team led by Chief Executive Cynthia Bostock and Managing Directors Sophie Meaney and Cassie Sissons. The deal was led by LDC’s Investment Director Chris Baker, who will be joining the board as Non-Executive Director alongside Alastair Weinel. Paul Bosson will also be joining the board as Non-Executive Chairman. Paul brings extensive experience to the Amberjack team, having held executive and non-executive roles in multiple private equity backed software and services businesses.

Cynthia Bostock, Chief Executive at Amberjack, said: “Amberjack’s growth is testament to the fantastic service our teams provide to all of our clients and the increasing sophistication required in large recruitment campaigns and specifically for junior talent.

“We’ve grown Amberjack to become the undisputed market leader in our sector and are looking to expand our service offering even further with LDC’s investment. The support of an established private equity partner with comprehensive experience in helping firms that provide technology services will help us accelerate our ambitious growth strategy.”

Chris Baker, Investment Director at LDC in the South, said: “Amberjack offers a market-leading proposition that enables companies to be more sophisticated with their Early Careers and high volume recruitment campaigns and attract, identify and hire the best talent for their business.

“With Cynthia, Sophie and Cassie at the helm, it’s no surprise that the business is growing with increasing momentum and has built an enviable client list. We look forward to working with the team to continue to build on their exceptional achievements to date.”

Stuart Williams, Corporate Finance Partner at James Cowper Kreston said: “It has been a pleasure to advise LDC on their investment in Amberjack. The business has both an enviable client base and reputation in the market and with LDC’s backing I am sure this will continue. I wish Cynthia, Sophie and Cassie luck on the next stage of their journey.”