IMSERV has acquired SP Dataserve Limited

Rothschild & Co’s mid-market Debt Advisory and Energy Transition and Infrastructure teams have advised IMSERV, a leading UK provider of metering and energy data services, on its debt-raise to acquire SP Dataserve, the commercial metering and data business previously part of ScottishPower and the wider Iberdrola group.

The acquisition strengthens IMSERV’s capabilities in metering and data services and expands its presence in Scotland and the north of the UK, adding scale, expertise and regional depth to its existing operations. It deepens their technical expertise and capability with new technical services as well as MAP, which is a great additional to the existing business.

SP Dataserve is a well-established business with a strong reputation for delivering metering and data services to energy suppliers and large commercial customers. Its integration into IMSERV will create a broader, more capable organisation, better positioned to support customers as the energy market continues to evolve.

Jo Cox, CEO of IMSERV, said: “This is about building a stronger, broader IMSERV, not changing what already works. SP Dataserve is a business with real expertise and a strong reputation, and that’s exactly why we wanted them to be part of IMSERV.

“Our focus is on bringing together two experienced teams and building on the strengths that already exist. We’re not coming in to disrupt what works well; we’re here to support, align and grow together.

“For customers, it’s very much business as usual. The same services, the same people and the same focus on accuracy and reliability, just with greater capability behind the scenes.”

Over the coming months, SP Dataserve will be integrated into IMSERV in a planned and phased way. Once complete, the business will operate as IMSERV Scotland, maintaining its regional expertise while benefiting from the scale and capability of the wider group.

Martin Somerville, Partner at Bluewater, IMSERV’s backers, commented: “IMSERV is uniquely positioned as the market leader in provision of mission-critical metering and data intelligence services to the UK energy sector. Bluewater is delighted to support Jo and her management team in this transformational acquisition of SP Dataserve, which brings blue-chip relationships, technical expertise and a leading presence in the Scottish market.”

The combined business will enhance IMSERV’s ability to support energy suppliers, large industrial and commercial customers, and complex energy data requirements at scale.

Amy Harper, CFO at IMSERV, went on to add: “Securing the right financing was critical to making this acquisition happen, and the support we had from the team at Arrowpoint Advisory was invaluable. They understood our business and our ambitions, navigated the process with real expertise, and helped us put in place a funding structure that gives us the flexibility to integrate SP Dataserve and keep growing. Having advisers who could move quickly and bring the lending market with them made all the difference.”

Ian Brown, Managing Director at Arrowpoint Advisory, commented: “This acquisition is a significant step in IMSERV's growth journey, and we were pleased to help structure the financing that delivered it. SP Dataserve brings further scale, technical depth and blue-chip relationships, and we're proud to have supported Jo, her management team and Bluewater on such a compelling strategic combination.”

George Lane, Director at Arrowpoint Advisory, said: “We worked closely with management, Bluewater, and the lenders to deliver a flexible financing package tailored to IMSERV's growth ambitions. The strong appetite from the lending market reflects the quality of the business, the calibre of the management team and the attractive fundamentals of the UK energy data sector. We look forward to seeing the combined group go from strength to strength.”

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