Identity management specialist, GB Group, has made another small acquisition, this time to augment its DataAuthentication business. The purchase of Advanced Checking Services for an initial consideration of £0.42m follows the acquisition of Data Discoveries earlier this month (see GB Group boosts ID tracing business). Advanced Checking Services is small - turnover was just £410k last year, PBT £73k. But its software for the electronic checking of driver licences to enable organisations to comply with health & safety and corporate manslaughter legislation should be a good fit with GB Group’s data authentication products, and widen its offering to the insurance market for the prevention of fraud.
GB Group has a clear strategy focused on its core competence of identity management and it is still on the lookout for further acquisition opportunities that fit the mould. In its trading statement this morning, management confirmed everything is going to plan and they’re confident of meeting expectations for the year. Longer term, the need for online identity management also bodes well for the Group.