Hippo Digital expands its Data and Engineering capabilities with The Data Shed Acquisition

Digital services partner, Hippo Digital, has acquired Leeds-based data consultancy, The Data Shed, widening its offering to the market and enabling the business to deliver meaningful transformation for customers on a bigger scale.

Hippo Digital has been on a mission to transform the delivery of digital services across the NHS and central government since being founded in 2016.  

Both Hippo Digital and The Data Shed have experienced exceptional double-digit growth in the last year, and demand for their services continues to increase. The coming together of these two businesses creates a nearly 400-strong team and a new alternative to the traditional, legacy systems integrators and digital transformation organisations that have historically dominated this space.      

Adam Lewis, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Hippo Digital comments: “The Data Shed has an impressive track record of delivering for clients and has established itself as a real leader in the data field. This acquisition significantly strengthens our data and engineering capabilities, helps us solve wider problems for clients, and The Data Shed’s private sector experience extends our reach. We’re delighted to welcome the team to the Hippo family.” 

Ed Thewlis, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer, The Data Shed comments: “Hippo and The Data Shed are united in the belief of doing what is right for our clients and adding value every step of the way. Value and good design are at the heart of every project we complete. By bringing the two businesses together, we believe that we have the talent and the experience to disrupt the current market offering, driving meaningful transformation to more clients and ultimately driving better outcomes for citizens and customers everywhere.“ 

James Handley, Investment Director, GCP comments: “The combination brings together two founder-led, culturally aligned, high growth businesses and we’re delighted to welcome the Data Shed team to the Hippo group.“

This acquisition takes Hippo Digital’s headcount close to 400 and revenues in excess of £40m. Its strategy is to scale its engineering and data practices to complement its industry-leading product and design credentials. This will enable it to continue to grow at pace in the NHS and central government, where it has a strong track record for delivering effective digital services, as well as expand further into the private sector, where it has had recent success. Hippo Digital plans to continue its double-digit growth trajectory and hire the best people to grow the business to over 500 employees.