Sovereign Capital Partners, the UK private equity Buy & Build specialist, is delighted to announce that it has completed a significant investment in AquaQ Analytics (‘AquaQ’), a successful specialist data analytics and data science services business supporting global financial institutions. Sovereign has partnered with the management team to further grow the company’s international presence and develop its range of services.

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Belfast, Northern Ireland, AquaQ has offices in the USA, Singapore and Hong Kong. The business employs over 180 staff, which includes its team of highly skilled and qualified consultants.

AquaQ has significant expertise in helping its clients optimise, develop and maintain their database technologies and take advantage of advanced data and analytics. The company, which enjoys long-term relationships with a number of leading financial institutions, also has its own proprietary suite of software tools, TorQ.

AquaQ’s consulting services include:

• Kdb+ and Big Data: AquaQ has significant expertise in helping its client optimise, develop and maintain their database technologies and take advantage of advanced data and analytics.
• Data Science: including data aggregation and AI;
• Software Development: including implementation, engineering and development, training and ongoing maintenance/support; and
• Project Management: in data analytics and other technical areas.

Sovereign is backing founders Ronan Pairceir and James Bradley, an experienced management team who have grown AquaQ into a highly successful and well-regarded business in just a few years. Guy Warren, a proven executive in financial services technology and services, joins the business as non-executive Chair. Guy is CEO of technology business ITRS, a former NED of White Clarke Group, ex-COO of FTSE Group and EVP of Misys Banking. He also has significant private equity experience.

Jonathan Thorne, Director, Sovereign Capital Partners said: ‘We are delighted to have the opportunity to back the AquaQ team at what is a really exciting time in this market. The growing velocity and volume of data is driving an increase in analytics requirements. Coupled with the complexity and mission critical nature of these analytics activities, clients are increasingly seeking the skills of specialist and expert providers to implement, develop and support their data and analytics activities. We look forward to working with the team to support the next phase of AquaQ’s exciting growth and further developing their expertise and range of services.’

Ronan Pairceir, CEO and Co-Founder of AquaQ commented, ‘Both James Bradley, my co-founder, and I are delighted to be partnering with Sovereign as we look to the next stage of growth for AquaQ. The market has rapidly developed in the last few years and continues to evolve at pace. By further developing and diversifying our data analytics and data science services offering, we will be able to provide clients with an even greater breadth and depth of bespoke and robust solutions to meet their needs. We believe Sovereign is the right investment partner for us to deliver our ambitions for the business, our team and the clients we serve.’

Other business and technology services investments from Sovereign include Zenitech, Alveo, Acolin and it follow-on acquisitions Fundbase and GFA.