Penningtons Manches advises on sale of top Ministry of Justice software supplier

Posted: 08/08/2018

Penningtons Manches’ corporate team has advised the shareholders of i2N, on its sale to Northgate Public Services (NPS). Oxford corporate partner Will Axtell led the Penningtons Manches team, principally assisted by associate Dominique Sabatini. i2N supplies specialist software to the UK's Ministry of Justice's HM Prison and Probation Service and the Youth Justice Board. Founded in 1999, it is ranked in the top 25 SME IT service providers on the government G-Cloud by the Government Digital Service, and is a key supplier to the Ministry of Justice. In recent years, i2N has been expanding cloud ready platforms as Software as a Service (SaaS) via G-Cloud on the gov.uk Digital Market Place.

NPS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japanese multinational NEC Corporation, is the market leader for policing IT solutions in the UK. 15 forces currently use NPS' crime, custody and intelligence management system, CONNECT. Recent contract wins mean that over 50% of police officers in England will be using NPS technology. The i2N acquisition presents an opportunity for greater visibility across the criminal justice system enabling users throughout the process to work collaboratively to deliver better outcomes and reduce reoffending.

Jim O'Connor, CEO of i2N said: "Joining the NPS team opens up new and exciting markets for both businesses in the development of critical software that spans the entire justice sector. We are confident we have found the right partner for the next stage in the development of i2N.

"We were supported throughout the acquisition process by Penningtons Manches who advised us on all aspects of the due diligence and negotiated with NPS on our behalf. The Penningtons Marches team was led by Will Axtell, who negotiated the SPA, supported by specialists in intellectual property, tax and commercial property. Our particular thanks also to the tireless Dominique Sabatini who guided and assisted the i2N Team throughout the transaction." 

i2N was also advised on this transaction by Rockworth Management Partners (corporate finance) and GMS (accountants).

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