US investor buys London-based sales firm SalesWorks
SalesWorks, a London-based sales training and consulting company, has been acquired by American investor Blarney Ventures. The Boston based investment firm focuses primarily on outsourcing, one of SalesWork’s key strengths.
Training and consulting firm SalesWorks is a sales development advisory which provides strategy, structure and insight into the B2B software and software-enabled services space. Focusing on sales team development for B2B software and software-enabled companies, the company deploys its proprietary 4S Methodology with clients to create a successful and efficient sales operation. From addressing issues to creating opportunities and pursuing growth, SalesWorks aims to help clients to maximise every element necessary to achieve their sales objectives.
The firm has attracted investment from Blarney Ventures (BV), a Boston, Massachusetts-based investment holding company with a focus on outsourcing. The two companies have reached an agreement to acquire the London based SalesWorks, in a deal made in conjunction with the creation of a new London-based holding company, Blarney Ventures UK.
BV Managing Partner, Matthew Iovanni, said of the move, "The SalesWorks acquisition bolsters the BV portfolio and opens up a segment of the market that is very synergistic with our core offerings. We are excited to have Shabri as a partner, and aim to expand the SalesWorks platform in the European and North American markets while importing other BV companies to Europe."
Shabri Lakhani will remain as the CEO of SalesWorks, while becoming a Partner in Blarney Ventures UK. This combination means SalesWorks offering can shift into demand generation, account management, and customer success, while also expanding operating resources, as the firm can leverage the BV team to enhance delivery and support. For BV, meanwhile, the acquisition brings a key piece of the sales and marketing puzzle into the portfolio and adds Lakhani to the leadership team. It also offers a foothold in the European market for BV's subsidiaries, FullFunnel and Practice Alchemy.
"This transaction enables SalesWorks to offer integrated training solutions across a broader range of capabilities as we leverage BV's expertise in demand generation, go-to-market strategy, and sales," remarked SalesWorks CEO, Shabri Lakhani. "BV has achieved phenomenal growth and success in the US and this combination will help propel the next phase of growth. I'm excited about working with the team to launch BV businesses in the UK market, building on their proven platform."
