NorthEdge has supported Cezanne HR (Cezanne) to acquire Learn Amp, a UK-based employee learning, development and engagement software provider. The deal is the second bolt-on since our investment in March 2023, accelerating Cezanne’s strategic shift to broaden its proposition beyond HR administration software into a full employee-lifecycle platform.
Learn Amp combines learning management, learning experience, talent development and performance management into a single people development platform. The acquisition directly supports Cezanne’s broadening strategic focus from a back-office HR and payroll administration software provider into a full employee-lifecycle platform – putting employees in control of their own onboarding, learning, performance and engagement through a single user-first interface.
Simon Noble, CEO of Cezanne, said: “The acquisition of Learn Amp accelerates Cezanne’s ability to compete with larger HCM vendors in the mid-market. It creates real product breadth, without the cost or integration complexity associated with many often enterprise-focused competitors – which will continue to be a key differentiator for Cezanne.
“It also sees us add more great talent to the organisation. The Learn Amp team’s knowledge of the product and the industry will ensure we continue to deliver market-leading solutions for all of our clients across the full employee lifecycle.”
Dan Matkin, Partner at NorthEdge, said: “The acquisition of Learn Amp, together with the Occupop acquisition completed last year, transforms what Cezanne can offer the mid-market – front-end hiring, development and engagement layered onto a core HCM platform. This should continue to ensure that Cezanne offers a differentiated proposition to its customer base whilst providing significant cross-sell opportunities as Cezanne continues to scale beyond £20m ARR.”
The deal also builds on strong momentum in the core business, including the launch of its AI-powered suite capabilities to help HR teams automate document creation and employee communications; and appointing Julie Lally as Chief Product Officer to lead the next phase of product and growth strategy.
The Learn Amp deal was funded by NorthEdge SME Fund I and HSBC.
Learn Amp was advised by Cavendish (Corporate Finance) and Marriott Harrison (Legals). NorthEdge and Cezanne HR were advised by PwC (Corporate Finance and Financial Due Diligence); DWF (Legals & Legal Due Diligence); Claritas (Tax Due Diligence); BearingPoint (Technology and Product Due Diligence); GCS Insight (Commercial Due Diligence; and Fellwood Advisory (Debt Advisory).