Axiom International acquires Swindon-based Torchlight

Axiom International has completed the acquisition of Torchlight Group. The move sees Axiom enhance its capacities for defence, strategic communications and cyber capabilities projects.

Based in Swindon, Torchlight Group is a professional services group which advises governments on their strategies regarding security, stability and “rule of law,” according to the firm’s website. Launched in 2011, as the ‘Arab Spring’ revolts saw leaders across the world rocked by mass revolts, Torchlight quickly procured work, and today works with “70 different government organisations, in 41 countries” – with its eight regional platforms “covering the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.”

From Torchlight’s headquarters in the UK, its global network of experts, combined with our deep local contextual knowledge, mean the firm remains well-placed to support state-clients around the world, as they look to “reinforce stability,” while a number of systemic crises come to a head in their nations. In particular, the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, a global economic crisis, and the advancing impact of climate change are likely to mean there is great demand for these services in the future.

This potential for demand had drawn the attention of Axiom International – a portfolio company of private equity firm Limerston Capital – which itself specialises in delivering security projects for governments and private sector clients. Axiom already works with governments and businesses to enhance community safety; security; judicial and prison systems; policing; forensic infrastructure and capability; and national defence capabilities – as well as solutions to address national and international challenges for governments and corporations.

Ed Dickson, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Torchlight Group said, “We are very excited by the opportunity to join forces with Axiom International, bringing together world class expertise in security and development, and Limerston Capital... We are immensely proud of all that we have achieved at Torchlight since our inception in 2011 and look forward to this new chapter with such credible and ambitious partners, who share our desire to bring enduring security and stability where it is needed most in the world.” 

The acquisition of Torchlight is the next step of an ambitious growth strategy aimed at creating a leading international security and criminal justice capacity building organisation. Combining Axiom’s strategic capacity building programme delivery with Torchlight’s leading defence, strategic communications and cyber capabilities is hoped to further enhance the reach and service provision of the group.

Chris Gregg, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Axiom, commented, “We are delighted and look forward to working with Ed Dickson and the outstanding Torchlight team going forward. Ed has built a formidable capability in delivering outstanding programmes across the world. The combination of Axiom and Torchlight will take our client focused approach to a whole new level, and we’re extremely excited about the future.”