New owners for Birmingham software developer

BECG has acquired Birmingham-based software developer Crowd Technologies Ltd (Crowd), owner of social media management platform CrowdControlHQ (CCHQ).

The acquisition is part of BECG’s digital strategy and gives the communications consultancy ownership of Crowd’s intellectual property in social media aggregation, management, publishing, engagement, analysis and reporting.

Crowd’s 18 full-time staff, including seven software developers, join BECG to deliver on its digital strategy to offer clients unique social media campaigning, digital engagement, crisis response, research, analytics and listening services. The deal will also provide Crowd and its clients with BECG’s extensive expertise in specialist communications and crisis management to enhance services and drive product strategy.     

Crowd’s founder and CEO, James Leavesley, joins BECG as a director and will lead on the Group’s social media strategy and product development providing expertise and innovation across all BECG’s agency brands, including Cavendish Advocacy.

Crowd will continue to deliver its social media management software, CCHQ, to its existing client base that includes; Redrow Homes, Arriva, Derbyshire County Council, Humberside Fire & Rescue, Greater Manchester Police, Saint Gobain and University of Greenwich. BECG will provide Crowd with additional funding, marketing investment, and access to its networks to promote further growth for the core CCHQ platform.     

CEO of BECG Stephen Pomeroy said: “A year of living with Covid-19 has confirmed that our digital-first strategy is what clients, their customers and stakeholders need. Bringing Crowd’s existing IP and new product development capability into BECG gives us the agility and capability to deliver the digital services that can engage, empower and drive change.

"At BECG we are committed to engaging with the Government’s levelling up agenda, and this acquisition will help us to strengthen our position in the Midlands and respond to client needs across the region.”

James Leavesley, Crowd Technologies founder, said: “In BECG we have found the ideal acquirer to take Crowd to its next stage of growth. We share a conviction that a partnership approach across digital and social media communications will solve our clients’ challenges in new and innovative ways, and we are passionate about a UK-based company leading in this marketplace.

"We have been based in central Birmingham for the past decade and are proud to be part of a growing tech sector within the area. We are now looking ahead to the next ten years, and the opportunities that working with BECG will bring. In the short-term we will be looking to establish a new shared office in the city that provides strong foundations for success for both companies.”  

Pictured: Stephen Pomeroy, CEO of BECG