Who Owns GlobalData Company?

GlobalData Bundle

Get Full Bundle:

	5 FORCES	$15	$10
	BCG	$15	$10
	CANVAS	$15	$10
	4P's MIX	$15	$10
	PESTLE	$15	$10
	SWOT	$15	$10

TOTAL:

ADD TO CART

Who owns GlobalData?

Understanding GlobalData's ownership is key to grasping its market influence and strategic path. The company, a significant player in data analytics, announced a move to the London Stock Exchange's Main Market in February 2025.

Founded in 1999, GlobalData has grown into a global provider of industry insights. Its services include market research and consulting, offering tools like the GlobalData Porter's Five Forces Analysis.

As of July 23, 2025, GlobalData boasts a market capitalization of $1.42 billion, with 754 million shares outstanding. The company reported a revenue of £285.5 million for 2024, a 5% increase year-over-year, and an adjusted EBITDA of £116.8 million, maintaining a strong 41% margin.

The origins of GlobalData are closely tied to Mike Danson, a seasoned entrepreneur who first established Datamonitor Plc in 1990. This online information company successfully went public on the London Stock Exchange in 2000, and its subsequent sale to Informa Plc in 2007 fetched a considerable £502 million. Following this, Danson launched GlobalData in 2008, and notably, he reacquired key components of the Datamonitor business from Informa Plc in 2015 for £25 million. While precise details regarding initial equity distribution for GlobalData are not publicly available, Danson's deep involvement from Datamonitor's inception and his strategic reacquisition of its core assets strongly suggest his foundational and ongoing significant ownership stake in the company.

Founder's Vision Mike Danson, a serial entrepreneur, laid the groundwork for GlobalData's predecessor, Datamonitor Plc, in 1990. Datamonitor's Success Datamonitor, an online information firm, achieved a significant milestone with its flotation on the London Stock Exchange in 2000. Strategic Acquisition In 2007, Datamonitor was acquired by Informa Plc for £502 million, marking a substantial exit for its early stakeholders. Re-establishment Mike Danson founded GlobalData in 2008, later repurchasing key Datamonitor assets for £25 million in 2015. Consolidation GlobalData was officially formed in 2016 through the integration of various data and analytics providers. Ownership Indicators Danson's continuous involvement and strategic asset repurchases strongly indicate his foundational and substantial ownership in GlobalData.

The early ownership structure of GlobalData is primarily shaped by the entrepreneurial journey of Mike Danson. His prior success with Datamonitor Plc, which he founded in 1990 and saw through a successful IPO in 2000 and a subsequent sale for £502 million in 2007, provided the foundation for his next venture. Upon establishing GlobalData in 2008, Danson demonstrated a clear strategic intent by reacquiring significant portions of the Datamonitor business in 2015 for £25 million. This move, coupled with his foundational role in the company's formation, strongly suggests that Mike Danson has held a primary and substantial ownership stake since GlobalData's inception. The company itself was formally constituted in 2016 through the consolidation of several data and analytics entities, further solidifying its operational framework under this established leadership. Understanding this history is key to grasping the current GlobalData ownership.

Key Ownership Insights

Mike Danson's entrepreneurial background and strategic acquisitions are central to understanding who owns GlobalData. His prior experience with Datamonitor Plc, which he founded and later reacquired key assets from, highlights his significant influence and likely majority ownership.

• Mike Danson founded Datamonitor Plc in 1990.
• Datamonitor Plc was sold to Informa Plc for £502 million in 2007.
• Mike Danson founded GlobalData in 2008.
• In 2015, Danson repurchased key Datamonitor assets for £25 million.
• GlobalData was formed in 2016 through consolidation.
• Danson's continuous involvement suggests substantial ownership.

GlobalData SWOT Analysis

• Complete SWOT Breakdown
• Fully Customizable
• Editable in Excel & Word
• Professional Formatting
• Investor-Ready Format

GET TEMPLATE ➔

The ownership structure of GlobalData PLC (AIM: DATA) has undergone significant shifts, reflecting strategic investments and market positioning. A key development was the acquisition of a substantial stake in its Healthcare business by a private equity firm in June 2024, which aimed to bolster the company's growth initiatives.

As of April 30, 2025, Michael Thomas Danson is the predominant shareholder in GlobalData PLC, holding a significant 58.78% of the company's shares. This substantial stake underscores his pivotal role in the company's direction. Other notable stakeholders include Liontrust Asset Management, which holds 6.93%, and the GlobalData Plc 2020 Employee Benefit Trust with 4.83%. Institutional investors collectively represent a considerable portion of the ownership, with entities like Liontrust Asset Management PLC (holding 6.76% as of June 9, 2025) and GlobalData Plc's Employee Share Scheme (holding 5.11% as of May 12, 2025) being key participants. The presence of major financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley (2.98%), BlackRock, Inc. (2.30%), and Fidelity International Ltd (2.01%) further highlights the company's public market presence and the broad distribution of its stock among institutional investors.

Strategic Investment and Market Transition

A pivotal moment in GlobalData's ownership evolution involved a strategic investment in its Healthcare business. This move is expected to accelerate the company's expansion plans.

• Inflexion Private Equity Partners LLP invested in June 2024.
• This investment secured a 40% stake in GlobalData's Healthcare division.
• GlobalData recognized an equity gain of £412.0 million from this transaction.
• The company continues to maintain majority control and full consolidation of the Healthcare business.
• GlobalData is planning a transition from the AIM market to the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.
• This proposed move aims to attract a wider base of institutional shareholders and enhance its market profile.
• Understanding the Competitors Landscape of GlobalData provides context for these strategic ownership shifts.

GlobalData PESTLE Analysis

• Covers All 6 PESTLE Categories
• No Research Needed – Save Hours of Work
• Built by Experts, Trusted by Consultants
• Instant Download, Ready to Use
• 100% Editable, Fully Customizable

GET TEMPLATE ➔

The board of directors for GlobalData PLC comprises both executive and non-executive members, overseeing the company's strategic direction. Mike Danson holds the position of Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, while Graham Lilley serves as Chief Financial Officer and Director. The non-executive team includes Murray Legg as Non-Executive Chair, Annette Marie Barnes as Senior Independent Director, and directors Andrew Day, Catherine Birkett, Julien Decot, and Peter Harkness.

Voting power within GlobalData PLC is structured on a one-share-one-vote principle. As of March 20, 2025, the total number of voting rights stood at 818,645,824, a figure adjusted following recent share buybacks. Mike Danson, holding 58.78% of the shares as of April 30, 2025, wields substantial voting influence. The company's governance, including voting rights and board composition, is guided by its Articles of Association and prevailing UK governance regulations. There have been no reported instances of public proxy battles or activist investor campaigns affecting the company's ownership structure or voting dynamics.

Understanding GlobalData Ownership

The ownership structure of GlobalData PLC is largely determined by its largest shareholder, influencing its overall direction. Understanding this dynamic is key to grasping the company's strategic decisions and market positioning. This aligns with insights into the Marketing Strategy of GlobalData.

• Majority shareholder: Mike Danson
• Voting rights: 818,645,824 (as of March 20, 2025)
• Shareholding of majority owner: 58.78% (as of April 30, 2025)
• Governance framework: Articles of Association and UK regulations

GlobalData Business Model Canvas

• Complete 9-Block Business Model Canvas
• Effortlessly Communicate Your Business Strategy
• Investor-Ready BMC Format
• 100% Editable and Customizable
• Clear and Structured Layout

GET TEMPLATE ➔

Recent developments have significantly reshaped the GlobalData ownership landscape. Over the past few years, strategic investments and buyback programs have been key to its evolving structure, impacting its market position and investor relations.

These strategic moves underscore a commitment to growth and shareholder value. The company's focus on acquisitions, such as Deallus and AI Palette, aims to bolster its competitive intelligence and consumer insights capabilities, aligning with its Target Market of GlobalData. The planned migration to the Main Market is expected to broaden its appeal to institutional investors, enhancing its corporate profile.

Strategic Investment Impact

The 40% stake acquisition in GlobalData's Healthcare business by Inflexion Private Equity Partners LLP in June 2024 injected significant capital. This investment provides substantial financial flexibility for future growth initiatives.

Shareholder Returns and Capital Management

GlobalData's active share buyback programs, including a £50 million initiative approved in February 2025, demonstrate a strategy to return surplus capital to shareholders. These actions also aim to reduce the company's share capital.

Acquisition-Led Growth Strategy

The company has strategically acquired businesses like Deallus and AI Palette in the latter half of FY24 and early 2025. These acquisitions are expected to contribute an additional £42 million in revenue for FY25.

Market Profile Enhancement

The planned move from AIM to the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in February 2025 signals an intent to elevate its corporate profile. This transition is designed to attract a wider base of UK and global institutional investors.

GlobalData Porter's Five Forces Analysis

• Covers All 5 Competitive Forces in Detail
• Structured for Consultants, Students, and Founders
• 100% Editable in Microsoft Word & Excel
• Instant Digital Download – Use Immediately
• Compatible with Mac & PC – Fully Unlocked

GET TEMPLATE ➔