Cegid announces the acquisition of PHC Business Software, enhancing its SMB Offerings in Portugal, Portuguese-Speaking African countries and Spain
Strategic acquisition strengthens Cegid’s acceleration on the high growth SMB cloud business management software segment across Europe
Lisbon, Portugal. January 21st, 2025 – Cegid, a European leader in cloud management solutions for finance (treasury, tax, ERP), human resources (payroll, talent management), accountancy, retail and entrepreneurship, is expanding its footprint in the Iberian region and Portuguese-speaking African countries with the acquisition of PHC Business Software.
Based in Lisbon, Portugal, PHC Business Software has been a key player in the Portuguese SMB market (small-to medium-sized business) since 1989. The company has played a crucial role in the digital transformation of the Portuguese market, supporting over 37,000 companies benefiting from high-quality solutions. PHC Business Software holds a strong reputation in the region and is highly valued by its more than 170,000 users across Iberia and Africa.
“This agreement is strategic for PHC’s future’’ says Ricardo Parreira, founder of PHC Business Software. ‘’When we considered the company’s growth path, we knew it would involve integration into an international company that values our culture and brings investment capabilities at a global level. Among several interested parties, Cegid stood out as the best positioned to provide this future for PHC, with appreciation and preservation of our culture, the PHC CS and PHC GO solutions and human capital”.
Ricardo Parreira has decided to step down from the management of PHC Business Software to focus on other projects. João Sampaio, formerly the International Business Unit Director of the company, has been appointed General Manager of PHC Business Software effective today.
“I am delighted to take on this critical role and would like to express my sincere gratitude to Ricardo for the outstanding company he has built over the years. I also want to thank all the PHC employees for their ambition, dedication and commitment to excellence, which contribute daily to making PHC a success.” says João Sampaio, the newly appointed General Manager of PHC Business Software. “My team and I are excited to join Cegid, whose technology and market vision will strengthen our growth agenda and make our PHC portfolio even more robust. Together, we will continue to serve our customers across the region. Our best-in-class channel network, comprising over 300 partners that we have developed in recent years, will also benefit from the upcoming synergies.”
Joao Sampaio and his team join Cegid effective immediately and report to Javier Torrez Ramirez, General Manager of Cegid in Iberia, Latin America, and Africa PT.
“PHC Business Software, with its 262 employees and management team, aligns perfectly with Cegid,” says Pascal Houillon, CEO of Cegid. “We will leverage PHC’s key assets and support their impressive growth with value-added technologies such as Generative AI to better serve the market; our Braga based AI Center of Excellence will be naturally mobilized to that effect. This acquisition strengthens Cegid’s position as a leader not only in Iberia but also across Europe in the SMB segment.”
The acquisition of PHC Business Software follows recent developments in France with the acquisition of EBP, in Spain with the acquisition of Microdata and an exclusive agreement in Germany with sevdesk, aligning with Cegid’s growth strategy in this specific segment.
About PHC Business Software
PHC Business Software is a Portugal-based company committed to developing innovative management solutions. Its mission is to create business management tools that empower companies to adapt to change. To fulfill this mission, the company designs software tailored to the specific needs of each user, ensuring the flexibility and speed crucial for business success.
Founded in 1989, PHC Business Software employs 262 people across its offices in Lisbon, Porto, Madrid, Maputo, and Luanda, and reported a turnover of €17.6 million in 2023. The company’s distribution network boasts over 315 certified partners, and its management solutions are utilized by 170,000 users in approximately 37,000 client companies.
More information: www.phcsoftware.com/pt/
About Cegid
Cegid is a European leader in cloud business management solutions for finance (cash-flow, tax, ERP), human resources (payroll, talent management), CPAs, retail and entrepreneurial sectors. With a solid full cloud business model, Cegid provides long-term commitment to its customers, superior and distinctive experiences and helps companies of all sizes accelerate their digital business transformation, locally and worldwide. Cegid combines a forward-thinking and pragmatic approach of the business with strong capacity to innovate, an in-depth expertise in new technologies such as artificial intelligence and an understanding of regulations and compliance. In today’s rapidly changing world, Cegid makes more possible by helping customers unleash their potential thanks to innovative and purposeful business solutions.
Bolstered by its strong international ambition and reach, and its 750,000 customers, Cegid has 5,000 employees and sells its solutions in 130 countries. Cegid reported revenues of €852 million (as of December 31 2023). Pascal Houillon has been the CEO since March 2017.
For more information: www.cegid.com/global