EKM

Software & Technology

  • Deal Value Range: £20m – £50m
  • Acquirer: ClearCourse backed by Aquiline Capital Partners
  • Buyer Location: UK, USA

Convex has acted as exclusive advisor to the Shareholders on the sale of EKM Systems Limited, the UK’s leading provider of e-commerce and online retail software, to ClearCourse Partnership, a group of innovative technology companies providing useful, integrated software solutions. The acquisition strengthens ClearCourse’s e-commerce and online retail capabilities and sees EKM joining the Group’s Business Services division.

Founded in 2002 by Antony Chesworth, EKM.com provides the UK’s leading independent e-commerce platform, delivering software that powers over £350m of transactions annually for its customer base of SME online retailers. EKM’s system offers a full suite of e-commerce solutions, with capabilities including online shop design and visitor conversion tools. Following the acquisition, EKM and its customers will also benefit from the integration of ClearCourse’s proprietary payments platform, ClearAccept – alongside leading global players.

Based in Preston, EKM.com has helped tens of thousands of independent retailers across the UK and Ireland, servicing small businesses and entrepreneurs from cosmetics retailers to astronomy centres. Its customers are at the centre of the company’s product and customer service, which is designed to help their businesses tangibly increase their revenues with ease.

“Without the help from Convex I honestly do not believe we would have had the phenomenal outcome we did. The work they did in both helping me select the right acquisition partner and getting to the finish line has delivered an amazing outcome for the whole EKM team, our customers, our senior management team and of course myself and my family.”

Antony Chesworth, Managing Director & Founder