Sopra announces the proposed acquisition of IBM France’s HR Access Service Line through its subsidiary Sopra HR Software

Regulatory News:

Sopra (Paris:SOP) announces the proposed acquisition of HR Access Service Line, currently owned by IBM France, through its subsidiary Sopra HR Software. This acquisition would increase significantly the pace at which Sopra is deploying its strategy for human resources solutions.

IBM is a recognised market player in the development of HR Access software providing integration services, maintenance and outsourcing solutions for payroll and human resources administration. Its suite of offerings in this area caters to clients of all sizes and across all industries, covering the HR Access product life cycle from end to end.

For Sopra, this proposed acquisition, would further the strategic plan which targets a strong presence in software solutions and associated services. It would bring the Group closer to clients, enhance its solutions-oriented approach and provide recognised expertise on the human resources market. The

HR Access Service Line would join Sopra HR Software in making Sopra’s Human Resources solutions a market standard.

Financial disclosures

The acquisition would take the form of a partial transfer of business (cession partielle de fonds de commerce). The acquisition price has not been made public.

The proposal has been approved by Sopra’s Board of Directors. The acquisition, subject to the usual conditions precedent including consultation with employee-representative bodies, is expected to be finalised in July 2014.

The annual pro forma revenue of Sopra’s Human Resources solutions would be approximately €150m in 2014.