Capita unwraps latest acquisitions

£100m-plus ICT supplier SunGard Public Sector among the firms to fall under Capita's spell

Software and services giant Capita Group has sealed two acquisitions, including an £86m deal for ICT supplier SunGard Public Sector (SPS UK).

The publicly listed VAR has also laid out £42.5m on business travel specialist BSI. Both deals have been agreed on a cash-free, debt-free basis. The deals come hot on the heels of Capita's £23m acquisition of ISV iSoft Business Solutions last week.

In 2009, SPS UK banked operational profits of £11.7m on sales of £110.6m. It joins the Capita stable from Pennsylvania-headquartered $5bn-plus monolith SunGard Data Systems.

SPS UK, which employs 950 people across offices in Chippenham, Gloucester and London, will be renamed Capita Secure Information Systems. It specialises in providing ICT kit and radio network services to central and local government and the emergency services. Capita claimed the deal will boost its portfolio of outsourced services for fire, police and ambulance authorities.

Paul Pindar (pictured), chief executive of Capita, said: "This acquisition takes us into the business of supplying secure information systems to police forces and ambulance trusts, introducing new customers and opening up new markets for the wider Capita Group. This is a key new area for Capita and, given the cuts in funding which the sector faces next year, one which provides real opportunities for the group to add value.

"Like many of our acquisitions, this will also complement our current business process outsourcing and ICT services to the public sector and allow us to offer a broader range of solutions to existing clients and markets."