Littlefish Acquires Stripe OLT, Forging a UK Digital Services Giant

LONDON, UK – February 17, 2026 – In a significant consolidation within the UK's technology sector, Littlefish Group today announced its acquisition of cybersecurity specialist Stripe OLT. The move creates a combined entity of 900 specialists and marks a major acceleration of Littlefish's ambition to become the UK's foremost end-to-end digital services provider.

The deal, financial terms of which were not disclosed, merges two highly profitable, fast-growing companies with a shared focus on Microsoft-led solutions and a strong presence in the public sector and healthcare markets. This strategic acquisition is poised to reshape the competitive landscape by creating a single provider with comprehensive capabilities spanning managed IT, modern workplace solutions, and enterprise-grade cybersecurity.

A Decisive Play for Market Leadership

This acquisition is the latest and most decisive step in Littlefish Group's aggressive growth strategy. Backed by private equity firm Bowmark Capital since 2022, the Nottingham-headquartered company has demonstrated formidable momentum. For the year ending December 31, 2024, Littlefish reported a staggering 54% leap in revenue to £68.9 million, with adjusted EBITDA growing in lockstep. This growth has been fueled by significant new business wins and a high customer retention rate, evidenced by a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 81.

The purchase of Stripe OLT is Littlefish's second major acquisition in less than two years, following its 2024 acquisition of Irish Microsoft consultancy Storm Technology. That move expanded its footprint into Ireland and deepened its expertise in Microsoft M365 and D365 applications. This latest deal signals a clear intent to build a comprehensive services portfolio through strategic M&A.

Ursula Morgenstern, CEO of Littlefish Group, framed the acquisition as a pivotal moment. "This acquisition is a decisive step in how we scale the business," she commented in the official announcement. "Our ambition is to build a truly end-to-end services organisation, with a user-centric approach at its core—to help organisations work smarter, reduce friction, operate safely and deliver better outcomes for their people."

Morgenstern highlighted the strong alignment between the two firms, stating, "Stripe OLT is a fast-growing, Microsoft-focused business with deep cyber capability and a culture that closely mirrors our own. Bringing their team into the group strengthens our security proposition, accelerates our growth, and meaningfully enhances the value we deliver to customers."

Fortifying Britain’s Digital Defenses

The timing of the acquisition is critical, as UK organizations face an unprecedented wave of cyber threats amidst growing geopolitical tensions and increasingly sophisticated attack vectors. Cybersecurity has become a top spending priority, with the UK market projected to grow at over 10% annually, reaching an estimated USD 30.19 billion by 2031.

Stripe OLT brings formidable assets to the table. Its CREST-accredited Security Operations Centre (SOC) is a key differentiator, signifying adherence to the highest international standards for cybersecurity service delivery. This, combined with advanced capabilities in threat detection and offensive penetration testing, provides Littlefish with an immediate and substantial upgrade to its security portfolio. The combined group is now better equipped than ever to serve organizations with complex regulatory and critical security needs, particularly in sectors like finance, legal, and transport.

The synergy is particularly potent in the public and healthcare sectors, where both companies have established a strong presence. Littlefish already serves clients like the University Hospitals of Derby & Burton NHS Trust and NHS Supply Chain, while Stripe OLT's portfolio includes The NHS Confederation. This shared client base and deep sector knowledge will enable the merged entity to offer highly specialized and scalable security and managed services tailored to the unique challenges of critical national infrastructure.

Unlocking the Microsoft Ecosystem Advantage

Underpinning the strategic rationale of the deal is a shared, deep-seated expertise in the Microsoft ecosystem. As UK businesses continue their digital transformation journeys, with over 69% already utilizing cloud services, a cloud-first strategy—often centered on Microsoft Azure and Modern Workplace solutions—has become foundational. The acquisition combines two powerful Microsoft partners, creating a one-stop shop for enterprises seeking to maximize their investment in Microsoft technologies.

The enhanced portfolio will cover the full spectrum of business needs, from managed IT support and modern workplace solutions using Microsoft 365 to advanced cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure management on Azure. This integrated approach is designed to reduce complexity for clients, who increasingly demand seamless, end-to-end solutions from a single, trusted partner rather than managing a roster of disparate vendors.

Mark Dale, founder of Stripe OLT, expressed enthusiasm for the future, noting the importance of finding a partner with shared values. "Joining Littlefish Group marks an exciting next chapter for our business," he said. "Having grown year on year since 2021, it was important to partner with an organisation that shares our ambition and values. This move allows us to scale our impact, creating greater opportunities for our people and enhanced capabilities for our clients, while remaining focused on end-user centricity."

With a combined workforce of 900 specialists and a client list that includes names like PureGym, Brentford Football Club, Bristol Airport, and MoneySuperMarket Group, the new Littlefish Group is positioned not just as a larger entity, but as a more capable one. The merger allows it to compete more effectively against large multinational outsourcers while retaining the agility, customer-first culture, and specialist expertise that have driven the success of both organizations to date. By integrating Stripe OLT's cyber-defense prowess with its own robust managed services framework, Littlefish is making a bold statement about its readiness to secure and support the future of the UK's digital economy.