PeopleSoft Europe founders invest in UK Oracle VAR

Crocus gets investment from Steve Swift and Peter Jenkins, who helped launch PeopleSoft brand in Europe

Two founders of PeopleSoft Europe have thrown their weight behind Oracle VAR Crocus Consulting.

Steve Swift and Peter Jenkins have joined Crocus as non-executive directors and have taken an equity stake in the Oracle Gold partner through their NewGen venture.

The duo formed investment and management consultancy NewGen over a decade ago with the goal of helping growth tech firms to expand further.

Since then, NewGen has been involved in six trade sales, three MBO or MBIs and more than 30 acquisitions or disposals.

Swift, who was PeopleSoft's first European vice president, told CRN: "As a policy, NewGen likes to take an equity stake in the businesses we help to grow. Investing in them means we are all heading in the same direction."

With more than 100 consultants at its disposal, Milton Keynes-based Crocus specialises in Oracle's PeopleSoft Financial and Human Capital Management Systems, and business intelligence. It is also a Microsoft partner.

Crocus sales director Paul Grant said: "We are a specialist PeopleSoft house and are looking to grow to the next level. Having the opportunity to collaborate with Steve, who helped build PeopleSoft in the 1990s, is fantastic for us."

Swift added: "Peter and I have known the Crocus guys for many years. We think that they are the best in the business and we look forward to working with them in this exciting growth phase of their development."