Company History
The company was formed in 2002 when Computer Sciences Corporation’s (CSC) Retail
Insurance Division was acquired by an experienced management buy-in team of former CSC
executives.
In recent years, the business has more than trebled its turnover, profit and number of
employees. SSP now has around 700 employees based at its headquarters in Halifax and
offices in the Midlands, the South of England and the Republic of Ireland, as well as in all the
key commercial continents: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa.
The story so far…
SSP has been at the forefront of insurance technology for the last three decades.
2014 – A refinancing exercise completed, with existing debt of £62.5m being replaced by
new senior debt of £125m and a revolving credit facility of £10m.
2012 – The business of Keychoice Underwriting (KCU) sold to Towergate Underwriting
Group Limited for £200,000.
2008 – Asia-Pacific INSURE/90 insurer systems’ business acquired from CSC. Leading
Australian SOA insurance systems specialist Koukia Pty Ltd acquired, accelerating the
investment in the InsureJ (now SSP Select Insurance) product range. SSP Holdings plc is
acquired by H&F Bidco Limited, a company formed, and ultimately owned, by funds
managed or advised by H&F and SSP's existing management team.
2007 – African INSURE/90 insurer systems’ business and assets acquired from CSC. Sirius
Financial Solutions plc acquired and the new enlarged company is rebranded as SSP.
2006 – SSP Holdings plc listed on AIM with a market capitalisation of approximately £70m.
2005 – European and Middle Eastern INSURE/90 insurer systems’ business and assets
acquired from CSC. Sectornet, one of the UK’s leading providers of commercial insurance
broking systems, acquired – making SSP number one in the commercial broking systems
market.
2004 – Irish software provider Bitsys acquired and additional finance raised to support
acquisition and growth plans.
2003 – Software Solutions Partners delivers new products, services and industry-first
business commitments and guarantees.
2002 – Software Solutions Partners is formed when CSC's Retail Insurance Division is
acquired by an experienced management buy-in team of ex-CSC executives.
2000 – Polaris schemes implemented on Electra.
1999 – Winners of the I.I.B., Best Software Innovative Product award for CLEO and Polaris
schemes implemented on Quotel.
1998 – Grapevine and ITT Quotel acquired. Winners of the I.I.B., Best Software Innovative
Product award for Advantage. Full-cycle gathers pace and Commercial Lines Electronic
Office (CLEO) is launched.
1997 – Gilt Edge wins the I.I.B., Best Software Innovative Product award.
1996 – Continuum acquired by CSC. CSC Ra wins the I.I.B., Best Broker Software House
award for the second consecutive year.
1995 – The Ra Group acquired by Continuum. The re-named Continuum Ra Group targets
major insurance customers and becomes the largest provider of EDI transactions to
insurance companies.
1994 – Keychoice (KC Partners) founded. The Ra Group acquires Castle Insurance Systems
and creates Electra.
1993 – Norwich Union and North Park kick-start EDI trading.
1992 – Polaris conceived out of a Ra technology pilot between North Park, Eagle Star and
Sun Alliance.
1991 – The Ra Group, incorporating North Park and ISL, launches UNIX systems and
DocuPrint.
1984 – North Park Computer Services Limited formed by Bradford Pennine Insurance, to
provide software to insurance brokers.