A ROMSEY based leading innovator in science and engineering has confirmed the acquisition of Geollect by its parent group.

Roke has announced that its parent organisation, Chemring Group PLC, has acquired the Bristol-based data gathering and analysis business.

Geollect will work as part of a new business unit – Roke Intelligence as Service – which will provide customers with access to, and analysis of, open-source intelligence (OSINT).

CEO and co-founder of Geollect, Cate Gwilliam, said: “Roke is the ideal fit for Geollect.

“Its vision and strategy align perfectly with our own, and I have no doubt that Roke will enable our team to operate to their full potential.

“The combined talents from Roke and Geollect will produce a global leader in OSINT and GEOINT and I am really excited to be part of this journey.”

Founded in 2017, Geollect provides a subscription-based platform that enables geospatial gathering, presentation, and analysis of datasets.

The platform can ingest more than 250 sets of open-source data, analysing and drawing insight which is presented on a geolocated basis.

Geollect’s capabilities in OSINT will complement Roke’s constantly developing offerings in data ingestion, artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science, and can be immediately deployed to projects for existing Roke customers.

The acquisition also brings 25 specialist engineers to Roke, as well as access to new and adjacent markets including maritime, insurance, critical national infrastructure, UK special forces, and investigatory tradecraft.

This acquisition is part of Roke’s ongoing business strategy to facilitate intellectual property led growth, building on the continued investment in people, infrastructure, and product development.

Managing director of Roke, Paul MacGregor, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Geollect to the Roke family.

“With a focus on innovative geolocation technologies and outstanding delivery in support of its customers, this acquisition is a valuable addition to Roke and will further accelerate our growth as a business.

“Specialising in open-source intelligence and geolocation, Geollect is a perfect strategic and cultural fit, and offers significant expertise as we invest in next generation technologies and expand our product, service and capability offerings.”

In June 2021, Roke made its first acquisition through Cubica, a specialist in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data fusion and autonomy.

All Cubica’s employees joined Roke at this time, its products and their capabilities are now widely used on Roke projects across multiple markets.

More than 850 engineers and business professionals work at hubs in Manchester, Woking, Gloucester, and from Roke’s headquarters in Romsey.

The business is continuing to grow significantly, introducing The Roke Acadamy earlier in 2022.