INTERVIEW: Access Intelligence Eyeing Small-Scale UK M&A

19th Jul 2010 11:38

By Hannah Benjamin Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES LONDON (Dow Jones)--Software and computer services firm Access Intelligence PLC (ACC.LN) Monday said it is looking at "two or three" potential acquisition opportunities that it could wrap up as early as the current half. "We're looking at them quite carefully but we're not rushing in to anything," Chairman Michael Jackson told Dow Jones Newswires. "We're constantly looking at ways of extending our product range but within the compliance arena," he said. While Jackson wouldn't be more specific about what kind of companies Access Intelligence is keen to buy, he said any targets would be U.K.-based. "The deals will be quite small but potentially very earnings-enhancing," Jackson said, adding that the company could seal a deal by the end of its second half, which ends Nov. 30. Access Intelligence most recently acquired training and competency software provider Cobent Ltd. in February. It said the acquisition of Cobent will enable it to benefit more from the increasing need for businesses to comply with increased compliance regulation and legislation. -By Hannah Benjamin, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9298; [email protected] (END) Dow Jones Newswires July 19, 2010 06:38 ET (10:38 GMT)