Swiss asset manager Partners Group has agreed to buy Civica from OMERS Private Equity in a deal valuing the U.K.-based software firm at around 1 billion pounds ($US1.30 billion), the companies said on Monday.

OMERS Private Equity, part of Canadian pension fund OMERS, acquired Civica in 2013 from 3i for 390 million pounds, according to Thomson Reuters LPC data.

Sky News reported on July 13 that Japan's NEC was interested in buying Civica for 900 million pounds. Other possible buyers included private equity firms BC Partners and Berkshire Partners, as well as Partners Group.

The company's management and ongoing strategy will remain intact, according to the buyer. Civica has 3700 staff, three-quarters of whom are in its native UK.

Civica is a leading provider to the local government and education sector in Australia.

Bilge Ogut, managing director, Private Equity Europe, Partners Group, said: “We have been impressed by Civica's track record of long-term growth. We see our investment as an opportunity to back a high-quality market leader in a sector with evolving customer needs and the potential to increase scale through select acquisitions. 

"We are excited to work with Civica under the leadership of [chairman] Simon Downing and [chief executive] Wayne Story and to continue to grow the business," added Ogut. 

Downing said: “Civica has performed extremely well during the period of OMERS ownership, and moves on significantly enhanced in scale and capability.

"The business is very well placed to respond to the changing needs of our customers and the investment by Partners Group, with its emphasis on working alongside management to grow companies, ensures we have access to the resources and support to build on our existing plans.”