Evergreen’s Pine Services Group has acquired Datel, the United Kingdom’s largest and longest-established Sage business partner. The transaction gives Datel access to long-term investment and strategic support while allowing the company to preserve its independence, culture and 45-year operating history.
Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Datel will continue operating independently under Evergreen’s decentralized ownership model.
Founded in 1981, Datel helps mid-market and enterprise organizations implement, manage and expand their use of Sage business software. Its services include strategic consulting, implementation, technical support, software development and systems integration.
Datel works with customers across manufacturing, distribution, software, insurance, finance and business services. Its client base also includes private equity-backed companies seeking scalable technology systems to support growth.
The company has expanded beyond traditional software implementation through two specialist businesses. Datel Advansys provides managed private cloud hosting, while Datel Fusion develops proprietary software and integration solutions.
These capabilities allow Datel to connect Sage applications with other systems used across customers’ organizations. The company’s approach is designed to create technology environments that can scale as business processes and operating requirements become more complex.
The acquisition also marks a planned leadership transition at Datel. Founder and Chairman Alan Simpson will step down, while Stuart Morland will assume the CEO role.
Simpson owned and managed Datel for more than four decades and prioritized finding an owner that would protect the company’s culture and customer relationships. Simpson and Morland were advised by Alvarez & Marsal during the process.
Pine Services Group is a long-term holding company within Evergreen focused on enterprise resource planning and technology-enabled services businesses. Its investment model emphasizes permanent ownership rather than acquiring companies with the expectation of selling them after a limited holding period.
Pine also follows a decentralized operating approach under which portfolio company leaders remain responsible for daily management. The group provides capital, strategic guidance, financial support and access to a broader network of technology services companies.
With Evergreen’s backing, Datel plans to invest further in its employees, service capabilities and technology platform. The company will also pursue additional strategic growth initiatives while maintaining its existing commitment to Sage products and customers.
Sage supports accounting, finance, payroll and enterprise management functions for businesses worldwide. Datel and Pine are both established Sage partners, giving the combined organization experience serving customers across the United States and the United Kingdom.
Sage expects the combination to help the companies support more organizations using its technology. Datel will contribute its established U.K. presence and technical expertise, while Pine provides a broader platform for investment and expansion.
Evergreen operates a portfolio of managed services and software companies. The group positions itself as a permanent home for founder-led technology businesses that want to maintain their identities while gaining access to additional capital and operating resources.
KEY QUOTES:
“In our first meeting with Alan, he emphasized that he has owned and stewarded Datel for over 40 years and that choosing the next owner was a critical decision for him. The fit was clear from that point onward. I’m thrilled that our commitment to holding our companies forever and to operating them independently ultimately led to Alan choosing Evergreen as the home for his business, and we plan to deliver on those commitments for decades to come.”
Ramsey Sahyoun, Head of M&A at Evergreen
“Datel and Pine are both cornerstone partners for Sage and have created tremendous value for their customers across the US and UK using Sage’s technology. In coming together, they will accelerate their growth and support even more customers on Sage’s platform. It’s a great moment for our shared customers and for the market.”
Derk Bleeker, Chief Commercial Officer at Sage
“What makes this partnership so valuable is that it doesn’t change who we are. Our commitment to our people, to Sage and its products, and to our customers is unwavering. The new ownership brings investment, expertise, and support that will help us continue to grow, innovate, and deliver value to our customers and partners. We’re looking forward to this next chapter in the evolution of our company.”
Stuart Morland, CEO of Datel
