Global digital agency xDNA Group has vowed to grow its Glasgow presence after it acquired a business founded by Lord Sugar and Apprentice winner Mark Wright.
xDNA was founded by entrepreneurs Richard Mavers, who is based in Glasgow, and Mark Chambers. The group's head office is in the Philippines but Mr Mavers is now focusing on growing its Glasgow hub and plans to hire more digital marketing and software engineering specialists in the city over the coming year.
Climb Online was founded in 2015 by Mr Wright after securing a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar when he won The Apprentice. It has worked in areas including SEO and email marketing and has worked with brands including TikTok, T.M.Lewin and ICONIC London.
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It has now become part of the xDNA Group in the latest of four deals that company has made over the past four years. The deal was reported to be worth in the region of £10m.
The expanded group has operations in the UK, Asia, the Middle East and North America, with further growth planned into Europe and Australia through organic growth and further acquisitions.
Richard Mavers, co-founder of xDNA explained: “The combination of xDNA and Climb Online is extremely compelling - creating one of the largest full service digital and software agencies in the UK.
"In being located in Glasgow myself, I have seen first-hand the growth of the business community throughout city and believe that in continuing to build our presence here, we will be able to help and support growing brands with impactful, commercial-first digital strategies.
"It is an exciting time for the team, and I’m looking forward to delivering further growth and success both here in Scotland and across the globe.”
Mr Wright will remain a shareholder of the combined group. xDNA's co-founders will work alongside Climb Online's managing director Michael Bush on their growth strategy.
When the xDNA deal was announced, Mr Wright said: "I am incredibly proud of the agency Climb Online has become, and the success we have achieved for our team, clients, and partners. Through integrating Climb Online into the xDNA Group, the agency will continue its impressive growth and lead digital strategies for some of the world’s greatest brands.
"I am incredibly excited about the future of Climb Online and will be staying on as both a non-executive director and Shareholder."
Lord Sugar added: "Climb Online has experienced rapid growth since Mark and I founded the business, and I’m so proud of what has been achieved. I look forward to seeing the next phase of growth with great interest, as this is a great example to all budding entrepreneurs of what can be possible."
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