Cyber security and risk mitigation firm NCC Group has sold its web performance division in a deal worth £7.5m.
The business has been acquired by Eggplant (formerly known as Testplant), which specialises in user-centric, digital automation intelligence solutions that enhance the quality and performance of the digital experience.
The web performance division boasts a portfolio of blue chip customers including Argos, BMW, Barclays, John Lewis, House of Fraser, Sainsbury’s Bank, easyJet and Auto Trader.
Simon Austin, technical director at NCC Group Web Performance, said: “We’ve built a strong offering in the marketplace and are proud of the customers we have in our portfolio.
“Eggplant has a great reputation in the industry and the combination will offer customers a new and innovative model for continuous business assurance, allowing them to deliver the very best in digital services, products and experiences to their own customers.”
Dr John Bates, CEO of Eggplant, added: “This is a key milestone in our growth strategy and we welcome the NCC Group’s Web Performance team and its customers to our organisation.
“There has never been a greater demand for optimising digital experiences and with the addition of new products and expertise, Eggplant can now more easily monitor, analyse and enhance the online customer experience, as well as accelerating the speed of delivery, quality and effectiveness of new digital products and services.”
The sale of the Web Performance division comes after Manchester-based NCC Group completed a strategic review in July 2017.
The London Stock Exchange-listed company concluded that the business had “little strategic overlap with the group’s broader cyber security and business continuity activities” and would therefore more likely flourish under new ownership.
The disposal process for the Software Testing business is ongoing.