LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, has made a significant investment in Shoptimised, a Tyneside-based performance marketing agency and SaaS provider, to support the company’s next phase of growth and technological innovation.
Founded in 2018, Shoptimised has become a leader in product feed optimisation and performance marketing, helping retailers and marketing agencies enhance online sales efficiency. Its proprietary software-as-a-service platform enables clients to optimise their product feeds across major e-commerce marketplaces, ensuring that ads reach consumers more effectively and at scale. The company recently launched the latest version of its software, introducing multi-lingual and enterprise-level functionality, along with advanced analytics and enhanced reporting tools tailored for retailers and marketing agencies.
Shoptimised has seen rapid growth in recent years, driven by increasing demand from retailers seeking to improve their digital advertising performance in an increasingly competitive online marketplace. The company employs over 40 people and serves more than 1,000 customers across the UK and Europe.
LDC’s investment will empower Shoptimised to accelerate organic growth, build on its market leadership, and enhance its AI and automation capabilities. The firm’s strategic backing will also help expand product innovation and strengthen the company’s go-to-market initiatives for enterprise clients.
The investment supports the management team led by Nick McQue, Brad Hall, Scott Hollande, Alex Sinden, Scott Walters, and Co-Founder John Cave. Recently, David Zborowski joined as Chief Technology Officer to lead product development and advance Shoptimised’s roadmap to integrate industry-leading AI with product feed optimisation technology.
The deal was led by LDC’s North East & Scotland team, including Investment Director Aaron Lawson-Clark and Investment Manager Peyman Atapour, who will both join Shoptimised’s board as Non-Executive Directors. They will be joined by Steve Nelson, who becomes Non-Executive Chair.
Nelson currently serves as Non-Executive Chair at ReciteMe and Non-Executive Director at SaleCycle and Leighton Group. Additionally, Brian Lavery, former Head of Google Shopping Ads in Europe, joins as an Advisor to the Board to guide marketplace strategy and enterprise growth.
LDC’s involvement marks another addition to its expanding technology portfolio. Over the past decade, LDC has invested more than £755 million in fast-growing tech businesses, backing 21 companies in sectors ranging from SaaS to digital marketplaces. Its current holdings include Uinsure, a cloud-based insurance platform, and UniHomes, a student accommodation advertising network.
KEY QUOTES:
“We’re delighted to be partnering with LDC to support the future growth of Shoptimised. Our values blend perfectly with theirs and our shared vision of where we can take this business over the next few years is incredibly exciting. It can seem daunting bringing on a new partner, but LDC have been extremely supportive and let us get on with what we do best whilst helping in any and every way that they can.”
John Cave, Co-Founder, Shoptimised
“It’s more important than ever for eCommerce retailers to use the latest technology to enable consumers to find them online and to maximise their share of consumer demand and buying intent. John and the team at Shoptimised have built a platform that services this market perfectly, with software that’s powerful and easy to use, and services that enhance retailer sales performance. They’ve also created a culture where talent can thrive and innovation is encouraged and we will do everything we can to maintain that nurturing environment as the company grows. We’re looking forward to working with them to fulfil their ambitions.”
Aaron Lawson-Clark, Investment Director, LDC
