Velstar, a prominent ecommerce specialist from Liverpool, has acquired Yatter, a Scottish PPC and social media agency.
- Velstar surpasses its £6M turnover goal, aiming for £10M revenue by 2024, marking a 250% growth since 2022.
- Yatter, founded by Gavin Bell, brings expertise in PPC and social, with clients like Loch Lomond Group.
- The acquisition enhances Velstar’s service offerings and increases the workforce to over 150 employees.
- Peter Birks and Gavin Bell share positive outlooks on the merger, emphasising shared strategic visions.
In a strategic move, Velstar has acquired Yatter, a company renowned for its proficiency in pay-per-click (PPC) and social media advertising. This acquisition aligns with Velstar’s ambition to further its service scope and strengthen its market presence, while capitalising on new growth prospects. Velstar initially established a turnover target of £6 million for the current year, yet is now set to achieve an impressive annual revenue of over £10 million by 2024. This marks a notable increase of 250% from 2022, reflecting the group’s successful expansion strategy.
The newly acquired entity, Yatter, was founded by Gavin Bell, and it specialises in paid advertising, catering to a diverse client base that includes prominent names such as the Loch Lomond Group. The agency offers a comprehensive service that spans from strategic planning to copywriting and creative development. With the integration of Yatter, Velstar’s operational strength is further amplified, adding to the capabilities in the competitive digital marketing arena. The acquisition bolsters Velstar’s workforce, increasing the staff count to over 150 individuals, all dedicated to enhancing customer experience and delivering targeted marketing solutions.
Peter Birks, the CEO of Velstar, expressed optimism regarding this acquisition, stating that it signifies a pivotal step in the firm’s ongoing growth journey. He highlighted Velstar’s strategy for 2025, which encompasses the expansion of services and expertise, aiming to deliver rewarding outcomes for both customers and employees. This sentiment is shared by Gavin Bell, Yatter’s founder and CEO, who views the partnership as a fitting progression for Yatter. Bell, along with business partner Dave McCall, sees this merger as an opportunity to blend their advertised expertise with Velstar’s robust capabilities in platforms like Shopify.
The acquisition was facilitated by Cactus, a global consultancy specialising in mergers and acquisitions, which acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Yatter’s shareholders. The consultancy aimed to find a culturally compatible partner, ensuring future growth and sustainability. This purchase follows Velstar’s acquisition of several agencies, including Leeds-based 9XB in August 2024, and Surrey’s WeTeachCRO earlier that year, not forgetting the Chester-based We Influence in 2022. These strategic moves are designed to bolster Velstar’s ability to provide comprehensive commerce support across major brands including Tangle Teezer and NEOM.
This acquisition represents a significant milestone for Velstar, signalling its commitment to expanding expertise and resources within the ecommerce sector.
