ECI Partners nets i-level

ECI Partners, a UK lower mid-market private equity firm, has taken a 60% stake in iLG digital (i-level) in a deal which values the digital media business at approximately £45m (US$89m).

Founded in 1999 by Andrew Walmsley and Charlie Dobres, i-level turns over more than £100m of online media expenditure across display advertising, search marketing and affiliate management. Clients include the COI, Orange, William Hill, Specsavers and Sony.

i-level’s management, which holds the balance of the business after reinvesting in the transaction, said that the ECI investment would also provide a war chest for both UK and international investment and acquisitions.