An Edinburgh-based user experience (UX) consultancy has secured a six-figure equity investment from the British Business Bank’s Investment Fund for Scotland (IFS) through appointed fund manager, Maven Capital Partners.
User Vision was one of the first dedicated UK consultancies focused on UX and accessibility across both digital and physical products and services.
The agency applies extensive research methods such as surveys, interviews, focus groups and behavioural studies to help to give organisations a clear understanding of customer needs, pain points and motivations.
Over the past 25 years, the business has worked with more than 350 clients in over 50 countries, with longstanding relationships including Emirates, NHS, People’s Postcode Lottery and Vodafone.
The funding from IFS – Maven Equity Finance will support the company’s next phase of growth, including the appointment of Martin Dempsey, an experienced commercial leader with a background spanning financial services, technology and professional services, as CEO.
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Adrian Astley Jones, a seasoned private equity executive and board advisor, has also joined as chair to strengthen User Vision’s leadership and drive a more targeted sales strategy.
Investment will also support business development, marketing activity and expansion into more verticals within the wider digital transformation market.
“User Vision is a highly respected consultancy with deep expertise in user research and accessibility,” said Rob Stevenson, investment manager at Maven.
“As organisations increasingly recognise the importance of customer-centric design, the business is well placed to take advantage of growing demand for UX and accessibility services.
“We are delighted to be supporting the team as they scale, with the appointment of Martin Dempsey and Adrian Astley Jones bringing further strength to the leadership team.”
Chris Rourke, founder and executive director of User Vision, added: “This investment is a powerful endorsement of everything User Vision stands for – our people, our expertise, and our reputation for pioneering research and user-centre design of services and products that makes a genuine difference.
“From day one we have believed in research-led, evidence-driven inclusive design, and this new partnership with Maven will help us amplify our impact, enabling more organisations to deliver experiences that are not only exceptional, but accessible to all.”