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James Cowper Kreston’s corporate finance team has advised YFM Equity Partners on the management buy-out (MBO) of Smart Numbers Ltd.
Founded in 2005 by Scott Woolaway, Southampton-based Smart Numbers originally aimed to provide small businesses with trackable inbound phone numbers that could be placed in advertising.
The business has since evolved into a Google-partnered digital marketing business that combines website development, alongside personalised optimisation software and smart telephony solutions.
As a result, Smart Numbers is “well placed” to capitalise on the switch-off of the UK’s analogue phone network, which is due at the end of 2025. This change means that businesses will be required to move from the PSTN to IP-based services before the deadline.
The £18.1m buyout by YFM will enable the company to take full advantage of these developing market conditions.
David Wrench, partner at YFM, said: “Smart Numbers is a very well-regarded, specialist business that has dedicated itself to meeting the ever-evolving needs of its customers. We are confident that it will continue to follow a strong growth trajectory, as it helps more customers switch to cloud-based, digital telephony.
“We were delighted to work with the team at James Cowper Kreston on the transaction. Their insight and tenacity to help us at every stage of the transaction process was invaluable and we look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Stuart Williams, partner and head of corporate finance at James Cowper Kreston, added: “It was great to work with the YFM team again and build further on our credentials in the TMT sector. Smart Numbers is an exciting business, and led by a strong management team with the support of YFM, is clearly well placed to pursue its growth ambitions, as it broadens its customer reach.
“I wish Tim, Richard, my former colleague Nathan and the team luck and success on the next stage of their journey.”
