Newry tech firm to pay £120m to shareholders

The Newry-based technology firm FD Technologies is to pay out £120m to its shareholders after selling a significant part of the business.

The largest shareholder, with a 20% stake, is US-based Irenic Capital.

The family of the late Brian Conlon, who founded the firm, have a stake of around 13%.

FD Technologies has undergone a major restructuring in the last year and will continue as a software business.

In October the company said it was selling its consulting business, First Derivative, to a US firm, EPAM Systems.

That deal is due to complete next month returning a net total of £205m.

Of that, £120m will be paid to shareholders and £32m will be used to repay debt with the remainder invested in the business, which is now focused on its software product known as KX.

Seamus Keating, FD Technologies chief executive, said: ‘We have made significant strategic and operational progress in the first half of the year, with the divestment of First Derivative and strong execution in KX.

"KX will be a pure-play, high-growth software business; fully funded and well-positioned to capitalise on the significant and growing global market opportunity."

'An important confidence signal'

Mr Keating told the BBC that the £54m being retained in the business would be used to take it to profitability over the next two years.

He said it could also be used to accelerate growth where opportunities were presented.

He added that a strong balance sheet was "an important confidence signal" to customers and investors.