SCC expands capability in digital transformation services with majority investment in Nimble

European technology solutions and services firm SCC has signalled its further intention to become a leader in the digital transformation services world with a majority investment in Nimble, a UK-based, 150-person digital engineering consultancy headquartered in Sheffield.

Founded in 1975 by Sir Peter Rigby and with significant footprints in the UK, France, and Spain, SCC has steadily evolved from its reseller roots to offer services in line with technology innovations and customer demand. Today’s announcement marks another significant step in what the company calls its ‘Digital Solutions and Services Provider’ (DSSP) strategy – a plan that will see the company build a 2,000-person European digital consultancy within the decade.

“For decades, our customers across Europe have trusted us to bring value and support in their technology environments,” said James Rigby, CEO of SCC EMEA. “The investment in Nimble – alongside organic investments we have already made in the areas of cloud, cybersecurity, and digital workplace – will enable SCC to bring that same trust and value as they embark on digital transformation journeys.”

Rigby noted that the company’s search for the right firm to “seed” its digital transformation services business ended when he and his team encountered the Nimble team, led by CEO Chris Roberts. While the firm was still relatively young (Roberts founded Nimble in 2016), it had all the traits SCC sought. “We looked first for a company that shared our values and our commitment around customer service,” explained Rigby. “The way Nimble engages with its clients, the culture Chris and the team have created, and the pragmatic way they make decisions – it felt comfortable from the first conversation and will fit well with the way we are already operating in our Cloud.”

To Roberts and his Nimble team (known as ‘Nimblers’), the opportunity to engage with SCC’s public and private sector clients was the initial draw, as well as the opportunity to expand Nimble’s reach into Europe, and to extend the company’s services by leveraging SCC’s delivery teams in Romania and Vietnam. “Partnering with SCC gives us rocket fuel to grow Nimble both in the UK and beyond,” noted Roberts. “This gives Nimblers an even bigger playing field to deliver innovation across our current capabilities and to consider new areas where we can help customers accelerate their transformation, including AI.”

SCC will operate Nimble as a separate company under guidance of Roberts and the current Nimble management team, with additional strategy support to be provided by senior SCC executives.

“With SCC’s global footprint and our investment in cloud services, we had many of the pieces we needed to help clients with digital transformation,” said Christine Olmsted, SCC’s Corporate Development Director, who will also serve as Nimble’s Chief Strategy Officer. “What we lacked was the front end – a team of seasoned consultants who could help customers envision and articulate their needs and the development and delivery ‘squads’ to then make that vision a reality. With Nimble now on board, SCC can become the full-scale Digital Solutions and Services Provider our customers are seeking.”

Terms of the investment were not disclosed. Nimble was advised by Squire Patton Boggs and Alantra, while SCC advisors included Eversheds Sutherland and Grant Thornton.