Skip to main content Show Menu & Search
Hide Navigation
SWTD podcast banner

Bristol's pay gap pioneer Gapsquare acquired by FTSE 100 giant RELX

Peter Evans
Authored by Peter Evans
Posted: Monday, August 2, 2021 - 11:09

A Bristol software business that is tackling pay gaps for employee demographics such as gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability has been acquired by a FTSE 100 company for an undisclosed fee.

Gapsquare, a provider of advanced people analytics software that analyses and tracks pay disparity, pay equality and pay gap data, has been bought by XpertHR, part of RELX, which is listed on the FTSE 100 and valued at about £39bn.

XpertHR describes itself as a "provider of expert insight and practical tools to help organisations achieve greater efficiency, reduce risk and increase employee engagement".

Gapsquare was co-founded by Dr Zara Nanu after she heard the World Economic Forum’s prediction that it would take 217 years before the Gender Pay Gap could be closed. In the early days of building the business, Nanu faced a series of snubs from male investors, including once being asked at a drinks reception for startup founders to fetch a glass of wine and to dress "less femininely" to avoid being mistaken for “an Eastern European trying to grab some money”.  

Following the RELX deal's announcement, Nanu has now conclusively had the last laugh. Gapsquare provides HR and Reward professionals with actionable insights about their company’s existing pay gaps through their flagship software FairPay® Pro.  Advanced statistical analysis identifies variables for employee demographics such as gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability, identifying the causes of pay gaps, and proposing and tracking remedial actions.

XpertHR will retain the Gapsquare brand, and co-founders Nanu and Ion Suruceanu will continue to lead the business with the support of the XpertHR leadership team.

Nanu said: “We know for many businesses transparency around compensation fairness and pay reporting is high on the agenda. Gartner research indicates that over 80% businesses globally are driven to take action around pay equity and pay gaps as the workforce is changing and younger generations entering the workforce are increasingly interested in transparency, sustainability and equality. By joining forces, XpertHR and Gapsquare are better equipped to support our customers’ evolving needs and those of the businesses around the globe.”

Scott Walker, Managing Director XpertHR, said: “I am excited to bring Gapsquare into the XpertHR family. Our mission is a simple one: to create purposeful workplaces for every person in every organisation. Both businesses are dedicated to improving the experiences of millions of working professionals around the globe. By combining Gapsquare’s advanced technology with XpertHR’s expertise in reward data, we can better equip employers to build a world where work is inclusive, where pay meets value and diverse talent thrives.”

Share this

Tags