Supporting an aviation software developer with their disposal to an international software organisation.

Our corporate and finance lawyers, Martyn Brierley and William Bowler, successfully completed on an international deal.

We worked on behalf of the former shareholders of Commsoft, who sold their business to Valsoft, a Canadian company specialising in the acquisition and development of vertical market software businesses.

Based in Tiptree, Essex, Commsoft is the developer of OASES (Open Aviation Strategic Engineering System), which is amongst the most successful aviation engineering and maintenance systems in the world.

Commsoft’s founder, Gary Pollak, and directors James Stock, David Pusey and Nick Godwin, are extremely proud of the company that they and their employees have built over the years and are optimistic about the company’s future.

Gary commented on the sale to Valsoft:

“In Valsoft, we have found a cultural fit and an entrepreneurial team that we confidently believe will be able to help Commsoft continue to grow and evolve. We are confident our customers are in good hands, benefiting from a team of dedicated, passionate aviation professionals, and the backing of a larger software organisation.”

Valsoft’s Head of M&A and co-founder, Stephane Manos, commented:

“This acquisition is a milestone in Valsoft’s growth. We are entering a new and exciting vertical, with a business that has a long history of providing high-quality mission-critical solutions. We plan to invest tens of millions in the aviation software space through additional acquisitions and the development of complementary technologies. As such, this will further build on Commsoft’s reputation of customer success. We welcome the Commsoft team, clients and partners to our family and look forward to years of prosperous growth. We will do our utmost to ensure that the directors’ legacy thrives and that customers continue to benefit from world class products and support.”

Martyn Brierley, Partner and Head of our Corporate & Finance team, commented:

“Senior Associate, Will Bowler, alongside the team at HSKS Greenhalgh, all worked tirelessly on this transaction to bring it to a successful conclusion. It was a pleasure to work with Gary, James, David and Nick on their disposal, alongside Colin Peacock and Chris Matthews of HSKS Greenhalgh. Over 40 years, our clients have built a strong and respected software solution to the airline industry, a great platform from which we are confident Valsoft will continue to grow. We wish our clients, the team at Commsoft and Valsoft, all the very best for the future.”

Commenting on their experience of working with our Corporate & Finance team, Gary Pollak added:

“We are all really appreciative of the advice that Flint Bishop provided us as well as the outstanding diligence that they showed throughout our dealings with them. It has always been a pleasure to discuss things with William and benefit from his experience in what was, for us, unchartered waters.”