Axiom GRC acquires The DPO Centre to boost data protection services
Axiom GRC has announced the acquisition of The DPO Centre, expanding its data protection services for businesses of all sizes.
The DPO Centre, established in 2017, is among the largest providers of outsourced Data Protection Officer (DPO) services in the UK. The company has a team of around 100 employees and has delivered data privacy and DPO services to more than 1,000 clients. It operates from offices in the UK, the European Union, and North America, with a presence in countries such as Ireland, the Netherlands, and Canada.
This acquisition is part of Axiom GRC's ongoing strategy to broaden its governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) solutions globally. The group now offers over 50 compliance products to a client base exceeding 40,000, with more than 2 million users worldwide. The DPO Centre is the group's fourth acquisition since joining with Inflexion in May 2024.
The DPO Centre brings significant expertise in GDPR services and has achieved an average annual growth rate of 30% over the past three years. The company's specialism in outsourced DPO and data privacy consultancy strengthens Axiom GRC's offering across compliance, risk management, and advisory services, further supporting international expansion efforts and raising the level of data protection support available for clients in all sectors.
Industry perspective
Commenting on the acquisition, Alex Dacre, Chief Executive Officer of Axiom GRC, said:
"Our GRC platform is the first of its kind – used by our clients to protect their workforce and workplace, responsibly. The DPO Centre builds on our successful acquisition track record to date and further strengthens our platform. It supports our global growth ambitions as we continue to bring the highest quality GRC products, services and professional support to international markets. "Data protection is a priority for every organisation and is set to be reshaped by upcoming legislation, such as the UK's Data Use and Access Act, alongside the rapid adoption of AI, which introduces new privacy risks. Clients across the Axiom GRC platform can now benefit from The DPO Centre's unrivalled expertise in this critical area."
Lenitha Bishop, Chief Executive Officer of The DPO Centre, expressed confidence about the future as part of Axiom GRC. She stated:
"We are delighted to be joining Axiom GRC as the next chapter in The DPO Centre's growth. This partnership brings scale, complementary services, and access to broader markets, while preserving the values we have always championed. We see immediate opportunities to co-develop service offerings, combine expertise, and expand our value proposition through joint delivery with other Axiom advisory solutions."
Client reach and market position
Axiom GRC now supports more than 40,000 clients and 2 million users internationally, with a product and service suite that covers health and safety, employment law, environmental risk, cyber security, ISO certification, enterprise risk, eLearning, and supply chain compliance. The group employs over 1,200 professionals, bringing extensive industry experience and maintaining client retention rates above 90%.
The client base served by Axiom GRC includes large corporations such as Bentley, Shell Energy, and Tesco, as well as public sector bodies like NHS England, in addition to a wide range of SMEs operating across multiple sectors.
Expansion and expertise
Through the addition of The DPO Centre, Axiom GRC gains further expertise in privacy and data protection – areas that are increasingly important due to its clients' exposure to shifting regulatory requirements and technological change. This acquisition aligns with Axiom's strategy to grow both its technological capabilities and advisory services through a combination of software and specialist human expertise.
The DPO Centre's experience serving clients in industries such as finance, insurance, life sciences, medical technology, software, retail, and the non-profit sector complements Axiom GRC's broad offering, adding to the group's ability to serve businesses of all sizes at a time when data protection is subject to increasing scrutiny and legislative evolution.
