Xchanging / Agencyport Software Europe merger inquiry

The CMA investigated the completed acquisition by Xchanging Holdings Limited and Xchanging, Inc. of certain companies of Agencyport Software Group.

Administrative timetable

Phase 2 date Action
24 May 2015 Statutory deadline
29 April 2015 Final report published
Late April 2015 Final deadline for all parties’ responses/submissions
Early April 2015 Consider possible remedies and response hearing(s) (if required)
24 March 2015 Provisional findings report published
Early March 2015 Deadline for all parties’ responses/submissions required before provisional findings
February/March 2015 Main party hearing, verify information, consider provisional findings
13 January 2015 Statement of issues published
December/January 2015 Gather information, issue questionnaires, hear third parties
8 December 2014 Merger reference made

Phase 2

Final report

Response to provisional findings

Provisional findings

24 March 2015: The CMA has provisionally cleared the completed acquisition by Xchanging plc of certain companies comprising all of the European operations of Agencyport Software Group.

Evidence

The publication of the evidence of any party on the CMA’s webpages does not indicate in any way endorsement by the CMA of the views expressed in the evidence or acceptance of that evidence. Publication in this way is designed to assist public understanding of the issues.

Hearing summaries

As part of its evidence-gathering process, the CMA is holding hearings with a range of industry customers and interested parties.

Initial submissions

The CMA’s merger inquiry is independent and welcomes submissions from all interested parties.

Issues statement

13 January 2015: The issues statement sets out the scope of the investigation. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions.

Direction to appoint monitoring trustee

30 December 2014: The CMA has directed Xchanging plc, Xchanging Holdings Limited and Xchanging, Inc., pursuant to the initial enforcement order dated 30 September, to appoint a monitoring trustee.

Inquiry group appointed

12 December 2014: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group.

Phil Evans (Chairman), Sarah Chambers, Tony Morris and Graham Sharp.

Terms of reference

8 December 2014: The CMA has referred the completed acquisition by Xchanging of certain companies of Agencyport for an in-depth phase 2 investigation.

Phase 1

Phase 1 date Action
13 January 2015 Decision published
8 December 2014 Reference decision announced
2 December 2014 Decision announced
1 to 15 October 2014 Invitation to comment
10 October 2014 Launch of merger inquiry
30 September 2014 Initial enforcement order made

Reference decision

Reference unless undertakings accepted

Launch of CMA merger inquiry

10 October 2014: The CMA launched its merger inquiry following receipt of a satisfactory submission.

Initial enforcement order

Amendments/consents granted:

Updates to this page

Published 29 April 2015