Digital agency bought by Americans with help from law firm

A digital media buying agency has been snapped up by a US firm, advised by corporate lawyers from Royds Withy King.

Bath-based SearchStar is the latest South West headquartered technology company to be snapped up by Welocalize Inc.

Royds Withy King’s lawyers worked closely with entrepreneur Dan Fallon and Search Star’s senior leadership team on the sale of the agency Dan founded in 2005 to the UK subsidiary of Welocalize – which specialises in in global marketing and tech innovation. The value of the deal has not been disclosed.

James Worrall, a partner in the South West corporate team at Royds Withy King, said: “SearchStar has supported Royds Withy King with our digital advertising campaigns for a number of years, so we’ve had the benefit of being able to work closely with Dan and his team, as a client as well as a trusted adviser.

“Dan has always aimed high and had great ambitions for the business so it has been a pleasure to be part of that journey and to have had the opportunity to advise and support the SearchStar shareholder on this transaction.

“SearchStar is a fantastic example of a successful entrepreneurial business that has been built up around a top quality leadership team and is indicative of the talent we have here in the South West.

“Despite the uncertainty around Brexit, the appetite for robust, profitable UK companies in the technology and digital spaces remains strong, particularly among US buyers.”

Dan Fallon, who will continue in his role as managing director of SearchStar, said: “James and the team at Royds Withy King did a great job. They ran a legal audit preparing us for sale and then when we’d found our preferred buyer efficiently managed the deal over the line.

“We are delighted to have secured new owners with the expertise and passion to take SearchStar on the next leg of its journey and extend its reach internationally, while still delivering the same high levels of service and support to our customers, locally and across the UK.”