Key milestones in the successful history of IRIS.
November 1978 - IRIS is founded. First version of IRIS software
developed for accountancy practices to automate the production of
statutory accounts.
October 2000 - revenues grow to around £9 million. Lloyds
TSB Development Capital Limited (LDC) takes a majority stake in the
business, valuing the company at £30 million.
July 2004 - revenues grow to almost £20 million. Hg Capital backs a management
buyout, valuing the company at £100 million.
July 2007 - Hellman & Friedman LLC majority fund
the £500 million merger of IRIS and Computer Software Group plc
(founded in 1984 and originally backed by Elderstreet and NatWest).
The enlarged business trades under the IRIS brand umbrella.
The picture today...
- Revenues of c£120 million
- 60,000 customers (primarily in the UK)
- Over 1,200 employees designing, developing, selling and
supporting our
market-leading range of software applications
How IRIS is organised
There are 5 business units, each with very strong domain or
specialist expertise:
Each is run by a business unit MD who has full responsibility
for the products, sales and service of the business area.
The group Directors (Finance, Technology,
Information and Marketing) work very closely with the MDs to
set high standards of delivery across the whole organisation and to
provide a consistent experience for all IRIS customers.
The management team, led by Martin Leuw (Group Chief Executive since 2001),
have all invested personally in the business, as have a large
number of IRIS employees.