Inflexion Private Equity has completed the buyout of Alston Elliot, a provider of premium data-driven graphics solutions for live sports broadcasts.
Alston Elliot was founded in 1992, initially to provide computerised graphics to the BBC for its coverage of test cricket and World Snooker events. Today the business employs more than 100 people across its offices in London, Johannesburg, New Delhi and Melbourne with clients including Sky, BT, ESPN, Fox, Star, SuperSport and the BBC.
The business is led by CEO Nick Baily, who has 27 years’ experience in the TV sports broadcast industry.
Inflexion has also announced that its portfolio company, UK luxury tour operator Scott Dunn, is expanding its presence in the Asian market with the acquisition of Country Holidays, a Singapore-based tailor-made holiday operator. The deal marks the second add-on for Scott Dunn since Inflexion backed the business in December 2014, having acquired San Diego-based Aardvark Safaris in April 2016.
Nick Jones, partner and head of technology at Cavendish Corporate Finance, who advised on the deal, says: We are delighted to have advised Alston Elliot shareholders on this very successful transaction, which highlights Cavendish’s expertise in media and technology. Alston Elliot has a 25-year track record of successful delivery of broadcast graphics on live coverage of some of the world’s most high profile sporting events. It is the undisputed leader in cricket and rugby, with multi-year contracts with the rights holders for the World Cups in each sport. Inflexion Private Equity is best placed to support Alston Elliot’s team in the next chapter of the story.”
