Newcastle’s Nomad Digital snapped up by French rail giant

Transport tech business Nomad Digital is set to be acquired by French rail giant Alstom.

Alstom signed an agreement for the purchase of Newcastle-based Nomad Holdings from investors Amadeus Capital Partners, Deutsche Telekom Strategic Investments, SEB Venture Capital and others.

Nomad, a provider of passenger and fleet connectivity services for the rail industry, currently employs around 230 people.

With its headquarters in Newcastle, the company has 13 offices globally, across the UK, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, US, Canada and Australia.

Nomad group chief exec Andrew Taylor said: “Alstom’s acquisition of Nomad is fabulous news for our staff, our customers and our partners around the world.

“The Nomad team is joining a truly great company with a common culture of innovation, and values-based approach to doing business in the rail sector.”

He added: “From day-one we will have a joined-up strategy and vision around the realisation of the ‘Digital Train’.’

Amadeus Capital Partners CEO Anne Glover commented: “Amadeus Capital Partners first invested in Nomad Digital in 2006 as we foresaw the increasing demand from rail passengers for better internet connectivity during journeys.

“We are delighted that a major rail company has recognised the value of Nomad’s visionary strategy, which has expanded to the fully ‘connected train’, and the global footprint they have achieved.”

The deal is expected to complete in early-January, at which point Nomad Holdings Limited will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Alstom reporting within the firm’s Alstom Digital Mobility business.

The transaction’s financial terms remain undisclosed.