3i set to sell or float Civica

Decision on the future of the public sector provider will not be certain until 2013

The future of public sector IT provider Civica was put into question today as its owner 3i announced its plan to either sell or float the firm, according to reports.

The Financial Times reported that Rothschild has been appointed to review the company, which provides software to almost all local councils in the UK and was acquired by 3i in 2008 for £190m.

Civica bought Gateway Computing in June this year, and has still managed to grow despite the government's public sector cuts.

It is not thought that a deal would be finalised until 2013.