2025 Prolific North Tech Award winner Clear Horizon IS Limited, owner of the CHiME application, has been acquired by BGF-backed Skewb in a strategic move to accelerate the growth of its productivity application, and enhance the combined group’s offering across regulated infrastructure sectors.
Founded in 2014 by Heather McCusker and Paul McKeon (pictured), Macclesfield-based Clear Horizon IS specialises in digital solutions for regulated network operators, helping organisations improve productivity, operational performance and visibility across complex field-based delivery environments.
Its flagship application, CHiME, is used by regulated infrastructure operators across energy, water and rail. Today, it supports a number of UK DNOs, as well as one in Ireland, giving the combined business a strong foundation for further growth.
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The acquisition will support continued investment in CHiME, while giving customers access over time to the broader capabilities and backing of Skewb. As part of the transaction, Clear Horizon IS co-founders will remain with the business and continue to lead it, ensuring continuity for customers, employees and partners.
McCusker, co-founder and co-CEO of Clear Horizon IS, said: “Joining Skewb marks an exciting new chapter for Clear Horizon IS. From the outset, there has been a strong alignment in our vision, values and commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful solutions for our clients. Together, we have a fantastic opportunity to scale CHiME, expand our reach and continue delivering meaningful innovation across the power sector and beyond.”
Shashi Seshadri, Co-founder and CEO of Skewb, added: “This is a defining moment for Skewb and our first corporate acquisition. Clear Horizon IS is a strong strategic fit and represents a major step forward in delivering our growth ambitions. By bringing together our capabilities, we are accelerating our ability to capitalise on emerging opportunities, strengthening our technical and operational expertise and creating new opportunities for innovation and collaboration across sectors. This is an important step in building a more diverse, future-ready business. We look forward to adding the Clear Horizon IS employees and partners to the Skewb ecosystem.”
BGF partner Jonathan Earl said: “What excited us about Skewb when we first invested in the business was the opportunity to disrupt the UK power sector through its innovative approach. Since then, the team has made significant strides in how they help water and energy companies tackle key challenges and achieve operational efficiencies through transformational projects, managed services and a growing portfolio of digital products. This acquisition is a real statement of intent that doubles down on Skewb’s growth ambitions – we look forward to supporting the team beyond this exciting inflection point.”
