Led by founders Neil Clark and Dean Ward, Bromborough-based Evoke supplies digital self-service kiosks, video walls, digital signage and payment terminals. Tony McDonough reports
Wirral manufacturer of digital kiosks and video walls Evoke Creative has secured a £6m cash injection from UK SME investment specialist Business Growth Fund (BGF).
Led by founders Neil Clark and Dean Ward, Bromborough-based Evoke supplies digital self-service kiosks, video walls, digital signage and payment terminals for blue-chip customers in the retail and leisure sectors, including D Sports, McDonalds and Google.
Their products are focused on maximising transaction conversion rates, improve customer experience and reduce costs and the company will use the BGF investment o support further growth in the UK and overseas.
In-house
All Evoke’s design, software development and product assembly performed in-house by its growing workforce of 75 people, including award-winning design engineers and software developers.
The business recently moved into purpose-built offices in Bromborough, which has enabled the firm to have a workspace, showroom, warehouse, factory and production lines on site.
Evoke has been voted as one of the 50 fastest growing companies in the North at the Northern Tech Awards in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Mark Mills, former chief executive of Cardpoint and NXC of Velocity Composites and Mini-Cam has been appointed as non-executive chairman, following an introduction through BGF’s Talent Network, which connects portfolio companies with expertise to help support growth.
Scale-up
Evoke chief executive Neil Clarke said: “We’re really happy to be partnering with BGF as we continue to scale up and win more contracts in the UK and overseas. We offer something different to other businesses in the market, creating bespoke products for our customers and working with them from initial concept to final implementation and aftercare.
“This commitment, underpinned by our strong relationships with some of the world’s biggest brands, gives us the edge over our competitors and puts us in great stead, with BGF by our side, to take on new business in the UK and abroad.”
The investment was led for BGF by Matt Widdall and Rhys Davenport. Evoke was advised on the transaction by Grant Thornton, led by Pete Terry, Chris Ryan and Brad Seekings.
BGF investor Mark Widdall added: “Evoke has demonstrated impressive international growth over the past few years, particularly with changing market requirements.
“Their ability to be an end-to-end digital partner for customers and provide custom-built products assembled on site puts them head and shoulders above their competitors and we’re excited to support them.”
Chris Ryan, corporate finance director at Grant Thornton in Liverpool, said : “Evoke Creative is a fantastic North West company driven by a passionate and dynamic management team led by Neil and Dean.
“We are sure the business will continue to expand rapidly and go on to achieve even greater things alongside the capital and know-how of BGF.”