Banbury-based S4labour, a workforce management software provider serving the hospitality sector, announced today it has raised €4.7 million through a growth capital investment from investment firm YFM Equity Partners.
The investment, made through the British Smaller Companies VCTs, will support the company’s continued expansion, with a focus on deepening product functionality to serve a broader market, alongside investment in product development and enhancing customer delivery.
Alastair Scott, Founder of S4labour, said: “We are delighted to welcome YFM as an investor. Their experience in scaling SaaS businesses and their strategic approach to growth will be invaluable as we continue to develop our platform and reach new customers. This investment marks an exciting new chapter for S4labour, and we look forward to working closely with the YFM team.“
Founded in 2011, S4labour provides a SaaS platform that helps hospitality businesses streamline workforce management, rota scheduling, payroll processing and HR reporting. The company has built a customer base of over 250 customers, including names such as JKS, MJMK, Oakman Inns and Restaurants and The Revel Collective.
Originally established as a labour optimisation consultancy by Alastair Scott, S4labour provides an SaaS offering to embed best practices with customers.
In early 2024, Mark Jensen, former VP Sales EMEA and APAC at Fourth, joined S4labour to drive the next phase of growth. YFM’s investment is aimed at accelerating this trajectory by funding further product enhancements in payroll and HR functionality, as well as strategic hires in sales and marketing to expand into larger managed pub groups and hospitality chains.
YFM Equity Partners is a specialist private equity firm investing in ambitious, high-growth businesses across the UK. With over 40 years of experience, YFM provides growth capital and strategic support to help businesses scale.
Mike Clarke, Investment Partner at YFM, commented: “S4labour has built an impressive business with a clear product-market fit and plan to expand its market. As the hospitality industry continues to digitalise its operations, S4labour is well-positioned to expand its market share and deliver significant value to its clients. With Mark Jensen now on board and an exciting product roadmap, we see a fantastic opportunity to accelerate growth, and we are excited to support the team on this journey.”
With YFM’s backing, S4labour aims to build on its strong foundation, enhance its platform, and further establish itself as a leader in hospitality workforce management software.