Axiom GRC Acquires The DPO Centre to Strengthen Data Protection Capabilities

Key Takeaways

• Acquisition Announcement: Axiom GRC has acquired The DPO Centre, one of the UK’s largest outsourced Data Protection Officer providers.
• Global Reach: The DPO Centre employs 100 staff and serves more than 1,000 clients across the UK, EU, and North America.
• M&A Strategy: This is Axiom GRC’s fourth acquisition since its partnership with private equity firm Inflexion in May 2024.
• Privacy Focus: The deal bolsters Axiom’s capabilities in data protection amid upcoming legislation such as the UK’s Data Use and Access Act and rising AI-driven privacy risks.

Deep Dive

Axiom GRC has announced the acquisition of The DPO Centre, a leading UK-based provider of outsourced Data Protection Officer (DPO) and privacy services. The deal underscores the growing importance of data protection expertise as organizations face heightened regulatory and technological risks.

Founded in 2017, The DPO Centre employs around 100 staff and has supported more than 1,000 clients. The company operates from offices in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Canada, and has recorded average annual growth of 30% over the last three years. Its services span a wide range of industries, including finance, life sciences, technology, and retail.

For Axiom, the move marks its fourth acquisition since it partnered with private equity firm Inflexion in May 2024. The London-headquartered firm currently delivers over 50 governance, risk, and compliance products to more than 40,000 clients and 2 million users worldwide.

Axiom CEO Alex Dacre said the acquisition comes at a time when data protection frameworks are shifting, pointing to upcoming legislation such as the UK’s Data Use and Access Act and the challenges posed by rapid adoption of artificial intelligence.

The DPO Centre’s chief executive, Lenitha Bishop, said the partnership provides scale and market access while maintaining the firm’s existing values. She also noted opportunities to combine expertise and broaden services under Axiom’s wider platform.

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