About Blackhawk Capital
Blackhawk Capital is a well-respected Private Equity boutique that focuses on Buy and Build strategies within the Telecommunications, Media & Technology (TMT) sector.
Using our close working relationships with Banks, Private Equity Houses, Advisory, Legal and Accounting firms, our research team examines markets within the TMT sector that are growing, transforming or consolidating and suitable targets are identified. These are typically owned by “Owner Operators”; underperforming assets from Corporate or Private Equity portfolios or distressed assets that require turnaround expertise.
Following the acquisition of a core platform or cornerstone company as the initial building block, Blackhawk uses this as the platform to bolt on further acquisitions to achieve revenue and cost synergies, which in turn will accelerate growth and market valuation.
The key differentiator of Blackhawk Capital is the operational experience of the team, with a combined experience of over 50 M&A events and a demonstrable track record of successful exits.
The team implements best practices, to drive execution of the business plan and increase equity value. If Investors and Management are aligned, then the likelihood of a successful outcome is maximised.
Run by operators with over 30 years experience in the IT Industry
Alan Watkins – Senior Partner
Alan is a seasoned Chairman and Senior Executive, who has over 35 years’ experience within the IT industry. He has experience of chairing both Public and Private Companies and works closely with the Private Equity & Venture Capital industry in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) sector.
Alan sits on the Board, as Chairman, of Blackhawk’s portfolio companies including CSI Group and previously as Chairman of Xploite plc (formerly Matrix Communications), an AIM listed aggregator; Teksys; Glasshouse, a Boston based, VC backed Storage Services Company; Foster MacCallum, an early stage Software House; AVM, which was acquired by Alcuin Capital.
Previously Alan held senior positions within the TMT sector, and was most notably the Founder and Managing Director of Cisco Systems Ltd, Cisco’s UK subsidiary. During this time he grew the operation from a standing start to over £300M of revenue.
With a proven track record of establishing and growing “fast track” start-ups, and a record of recruiting and developing successful teams. Alan has significant experience of Turnarounds, Mergers, Acquisitions and Fund Raising.
He is a Co-Founder of Blackhawk Capital.
Kevin Lewis – Senior Partner
Kevin qualified as an Accountant working for Europe’s largest privately owned Manufacturing and Engineering group Sulzer Bros. then after spending over 10 years working in Asia and Africa in the Oil Exploration Industry, he began a 20 year career in the TMT Sector. He spent several years as a management consultant for the BTR Group (now Invensys) advising several of their subsidiaries, and negotiating an MBO for two of them.
Specialising in M&A projects, Kevin was a key member of the team who created a “buy and build” strategy at Ferrari Holdings plc. Together with the turn around and disposal of several IT training and recruitment businesses (including Eurowise, QED, First Stop and, Affact Ltd), he formed and ran an IT development business, CMA Solutions Ltd for 10 years before achieving a successful disposal.
As co-founder of Actuate Ltd which focused on the automotive industry Kevin built this into a successful company before selling to MSXi, the worldwide leading global provider of outsourced business solutions for the automotive industry 2007.
He is a Co-founder of Blackhawk Capital.