Leading global customer experience and business process outsourcing expert, Webhelp, has acquired a majority stake in leading French health care sector customer relationship management firm, Direct Medica. Webhelp has signed an exclusive agreement for the acquisition of Direct Medica, which is expected tobe finalised by the end of July 2017.

For 17 years Direct Medica has been the leading player in multi-channel relationship management in the health care sector in France and is recognised for its abilities to add value and continuously provide innovative solutions. The company serves a broad client base: pharmaceutical laboratories, hospitals, health insurance companies, institutional players and public authorities.

Webhelp will become the majority shareholder, but the three founders of Direct Medica, Jean-Christian Kipp, Sophie Kerob and Jerôme Stevens, as well as the management team, will maintain a significant capital share and will continue to ensure the development of the company.

This is the 14th acquisition Webhelp has made in the last four years and furthers the company’s strategy of growing through geographical and sector expertise.

Olivier Duha, co-founder of Webhelp, said: “Direct Medica began operations in the same year as Webhelp and, like Webhelp, has developed into a leader in its sector. Webhelp is delighted to be able to add the experience of Direct Medica in the health care sector to its portfolio and is confident that together the expertise of our two businesses will prove even more attractive to companies operating in this sector in Europe.”

Jean-Christian Kipp, chairman of the Direct Medica Group, welcomed the news: “By combining with Webhelp, we will integrate a strong entrepreneurial dynamic group with a strong European foundation, which will allow us to expand our service offerings, implement our innovative models internationally and offer even more attractive development prospects to our teams. This is a win win situation for Direct Medica and Webhelp, as well as our clients, their customers and our people.”