Craneware is a leading provider of value cycle software solutions to the US healthcare industry. Headquartered in Edinburgh, the Company listed on AIM in September 2007, raising £20.5 million at a price of 128p, giving the company a valuation of £32 million. Since that time the Company has gone on to firmly establish itself as a constituent of the FTSE AIM 100.

Appointed ahead of the IPO, in the summer of 2007, our advisors have worked with Craneware since that time, providing advice on interaction with the capital markets and managing all aspects of the company’s analyst and financial media relations activity.

This has included managing the communications around two acquisitions; ClaimTrust, Inc. in 2011 and Kestros Limited in 2014 and the launch of a comprehensive strategy in 2015 that dramatically increases the company’s total addressable market.

Most recently, Alma supported Craneware with a $193.5 million placing and the Company’s largest acquisition to date of US-based Sentry for $400 million, providing immediate additional scale and cementing Craneware’s position in its end market.

Keith Neilson, co-founder and CEO of Craneware plc had the following to say regarding the service received from Alma partners during this time:

The advice and support that we have received from Alma has been fantastic over the many years we have worked together. It is clear they have taken the time to really understand our business and have become very much an integral part of our team.

They have great connections across the investor community, press, analysts and our other advisers and have provided sound counsel regarding our interactions with these audiences, always with an eye towards our long-term strategy and positioning. Importantly, I have found them to be great people to work with and we would not hesitate to recommend them to others.

Entertainment One, best-known for the pre-school favourite Peppa Pig, has been a client since 2010. Over the last decade, the Company has grown from a capitalisation of £100m, culminating in its sale to Hasbro for £3.3bn.

Working across eOne’s UK and US Capital Markets needs, media relations and analyst interaction, our advisors have supported eOne through its move from AIM to the FTSE 250, and multiple acquisitions including Alliance Films, Audio Networks and the remaining stake in Peppa Pig. Throughout this time, the team worked closely with eOne’s global teams and partners to ensure the Group’s communications were aligned.

Jackie Rubin, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications at Entertainment One said:

As long time members of the Alma family and before that, clients of Bex and her team, we continue to be impressed by the standout attention and service of Bex and the entire team. Beyond that, their insights and on-point guidance have supported the evolution of our strategy and the growth of our business in the most meaningful of ways over many years.

Alma’s bespoke approach, combined with their local and global market awareness, makes them a great partner across so many areas of our business. More than that, they go above and beyond, day or night, to deliver at the highest levels.

To say that they are part of our core brain trust would be an understatement. If you want to work with the best out there, look no further than Alma.

IG Design Group is one of the world's leading designers, innovators and manufacturers of celebrations, craft, gifting, stationery and creative play products. The team began working with the Company in 2016 when it was beginning to re-build its momentum after several years of turn-around activity led by CEO Paul Fineman. Our objective was clear, to put the Company back on the Capital Markets’ map under its new branding.

Activity included a re-introduction of the Company to press and analysts, broadening of investor support with a particular focus on reaching retail investors and wider corporate profile raising.

Within the first three weeks, Design Group was featured on BBC News and has since featured broadly across a range of news outlets. As a trusted partner to Design Group, since the initial programme, we have provided a truly full service offering, including support with internal communications, crisis planning and advised on three major acquisitions.

Since the team started working with Design Group the Company has more than doubled revenues, with its share price more than tripling. In January 2020 the Company completed a significantly oversubscribed placing to raise £120m.

Paul Fineman, CEO, IG Design Group plc said:

The team at Alma have consistently provided a standard of service, advice and proactivity which has always delighted us. They do not only articulate great ideas – they deliver on them.

Aquis Exchange is an exchange services group with a unique model and innovative capabilities which set it apart from all other equity exchanges. Aquis listed in June 2018 and has delivered strong financial growth ever since, firmly securing its position as a key player in the industry.

Appointed in January 2019, our advisers have worked with Aquis to manage its financial and corporate PR activity, undertaking a comprehensive set of activities to help raise the Company’s profile with its key audiences and deepening engagement with the retail investor community.

Activity has included developing and strengthening relationships with analysts and brokers as well as the national, financial and investment media, with Aquis regularly securing coverage in key national business pages and broadcast interviews.

Aquis Exchange acquired Aquis Stock Exchange (AQSE) (formerly NEX Exchange) in the summer of 2020, which saw the business enter the primary market. Alma has been a central part of shaping AQSE’s messaging as it undergoes a transformation, ensuring the new story is delivered to press, analysts, prospective issuers and investors alike.

Alasdair Haynes, CEO of Aquis Exchange PLC said:

The team at Alma have been a great support to us, especially with our financial calendar work. They are always on hand to offer sound advice and efficient execution whenever we need it. We regard them as very much part of the Aquis team and we regularly recommend their services to our issuer companies.