365 Response, a high-growth Wakefield-based digital transport management and eProcurement software provider, has acquired Redcar-based transport technology solutions business, Flexiroute after securing follow-on funding from the founders and growth capital investor, BGF. 

Just one year on from BGF’s initial £3million investment, this new partnership brings together two of the leading providers of Home-to-School and NHS transport software in the UK, working with some of the largest councils and trusts in the country. A combined fifty years’ experience across the Group will drive rapid improvements in service by harmonising the best in sector technologies, for the benefit of over 200 public sector and private transport organisations.

Leading the acquisition, Brendan Fatchett, CEO of 365 Response said:

“Acquiring Flexiroute is a huge step forward in the implementation of our long-term strategy to support the delivery of zero-carbon solutions for councils. 

“This partnership supports our aim to be the single best provider of transport management solutions for the public and private sector. We are passionate about developing new solutions to better service the market and we are excited to be moving forward as a larger group, with the whole Flexiroute team joining the 365 Response fold. We are completely committed to the Flexiroute team and their customers and are looking forward to working closely with them to drive true innovation and transformation in the sector.”

365 Response has grown rapidly since taking investment from BGF – the UK’s most active growth capital investor – in September 2020.  The funding has been used to support a rapid recruitment drive and further development of the 365 Response Smart Transport platform.

Lawrence Cocker, Technical Director at Flexiroute, commented:

“We are thrilled to be joining the 365 Response Group of companies and look forward to bringing together our technologies to create further advancements for our clients. We’re proud to be joining a motivated and caring team, who are dedicated to solving complex transport requirements, improving the lives of the most vulnerable people in our society.”

This activity follows the July acquisition of meals-on-wheels software solutions business KL2, which bolstered the 365 Response Council customer footprint and will be used to expand the meal delivery service, courier and non-patient transport activity for the Group.

Rob Johnson, an investor at BGF added:

“As demand increases for 365 Response’s solutions, these acquisitions will allow the business to accelerate its already rapid expansion and support more organisations’ transport requirements. When we invested last year, we identified the opportunity to accelerate organic growth through complementary acquisitions and so it’s great to have been able to put more money to work to support the execution of two fantastic deals within 12 months of our initial investment.”

The deal was co-funded between the 365 Response founders and BGF. 

365 Response was advised by Addleshaw Goddard, led by Richard Hunt, Cameron Allwood and Shannon Hardcastle.

BGF was advised by Squire Patton Boggs, led by Paul Mann and Josh Lodge. 

–Ends—

 About

365 Response is a fast-growing Wakefield-based technology business bringing digital innovation to the NHS, Local Authorities and Private Transport Providers. 

Flexiroute is a digital technology business providing web-based passenger scheduling systems across the public and private sector.

BGF was set up in 2011 and has invested more £2.5bn in over 400 companies, making it the most active investor in the UK. BGF is a minority, non-controlling equity partner with a patient outlook on investments, based on shared long-term goals with the management teams it backs. BGF invests in growing businesses in the UK and Ireland through its network of 16 offices. www.bgf.co.uk  Social media: @BGFinvestments

Editors notes

— This is the second acquisition in this financial year for 365 Response, following the recent purchase of KL2, a professional IT consultant and computer software solutions business based in Kent. They predominantly provide meals on wheels software and transport solutions to local authorities and private businesses.