Bristol-based provider of cloud unified communications Applicable has been acquired by a UK subsidiary of one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing firms in the sector.
The cross-border deal involved French firm Arkadin, which is owned by NTT Communications Corporation of Japan, taking over Applicable, which has a US subsidiary and an Australian branch. 
Stoke Gifford-based Applicable has a 12-year track record of successfully building, implementing and managing cloud-based Microsoft Lync and Skype for Business on behalf of large enterprises.
The acquisition will enable Arkadin to expand its global reach and bring the value of unified communications services to large and global companies.
Applicable’s expert team already hosts more than 330,000 unified communications users through its ISO/IEC 27001:2013-certified global private cloud platform.
Applicable managing director Alan Baldwin said: “We are thrilled to be joining Arkadin and are certain it will benefit all stakeholders, including our talented workforces and current and future customers.
“Our combined resources and shared passion for enabling organisations to collaborate will successfully deliver integrated Microsoft UC services that meet the essential quality of experience requirements of enterprise customers.
“Arkadin’s global telephony and local approach to service, together with Applicable’s expertise, offer customers a complete UC service.”
Applicable’s shareholders were advised by the corporate and commercial team at law firm Royds Withy King in Bath, tax advisers at Bishop Fleming, also in Bath, and specialist technology merger and acquisition (M&A) advisers ICON Corporate Finance.
Royds Withy King partner Katharine Mortimer said: “This was an exciting and complex deal to work on with several international elements.
“In addition to its Bristol office, Applicable has a US subsidiary and an Australian branch so there were some interesting legal and tax issues to consider. We worked closely with Applicable’s shareholders on the share sale agreement, new articles and shareholders agreement which will see our clients become shareholders in the UK company.”
Bishop Fleming tax partner Paul Morris added: “It was great to be part of the local team advising on this transaction and there were inevitably some complexities to resolve along the way. The acquisition of Applicable will no doubt generate exciting opportunities for the combined businesses going forward.”
ICON director Simon Moynagh said: “We ran a full international M&A process and are delighted to have secured Akardin/NTT Communications as the acquirer. Unified Communications is a rapidly growing market and this represents a significant deal for the sector.”
Arkadin was advised by the Paris office of Travers Smith and Sentio Corporate Finance. Financial details of the deal have not been made public.
