What Oakland Group does

Oakland Group is a Leeds-based data and AI consultancy that has operated for over 40 years, serving UK enterprise clients and ambitious SMEs with end-to-end data and AI services. The firm's portfolio spans six interconnected service lines — Data Strategy, Data Management (including Data Governance Consulting), Platform and Data Engineering, Analytics and Insights, and Artificial Intelligence (covering generative AI and agentic AI consulting plus custom AI solutions) — unified by its Lighthouse Project delivery methodology and Data Maturity Framework assessment tool. Active sector practices target Water Utilities, Media & Telecoms, and Rail & Transport as primary verticals, with additional presence in Higher Education and government/regulatory work.

The company differentiates through vendor neutrality, an ISO 27001/ISO 9001/Cyber Essentials certified operating posture, a Microsoft partnership, and a Modular Data Platform approach that enables live platform deployments in as little as one week. Delivery is structured around 90-day initiatives intended to balance quick wins with long-term data foundation building, transitioning clients toward independent data management capability. Named enterprise and government clients include Vodafone, Network Rail, the Information Commissioner's Office, Yorkshire Water, Elvie, Emerald Publishing, Hitachi, Softcat, GMI Construction, and Simplify.

Oakland generates revenue through project-based professional services engagements on multi-year contracts at custom, quote-driven pricing. Distribution is sales-led and direct, with enterprise engagement sourced through website contact forms and phone enquiries. The firm doubled headcount from 33 to 80 employees between 2021 and 2023 and secured £500,000 in NPIF funding in June 2023 to support expansion. In March 2026, Oakland Group Services was acquired by Softcat, a FTSE 250 IT infrastructure specialist, with the deal explicitly framed as an AI-demand-driven growth move.

Name

Oakland Group

Legal name

Oakland Group

Website

https://theoaklandgroup.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Oakland Group is a Leeds-based data and AI consultancy providing end-to-end data strategy, platform engineering, and AI consulting services to UK enterprise clients and ambitious SMEs. With over 40 years of data heritage, it was acquired by Softcat in March 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Data & AI Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise Architecture & IT Operating Model (BPAHAEAB)

Keywords

• Data consulting services
• AI consulting services
• Data strategy advisory
• Data governance consulting
• Analytics consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Leeds

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Professional Services / Consulting Engagements: Oakland generates revenue through data and AI consulting services delivered via project-based engagements. Services include data strategy, data management, data platforms and engineering, analytics, and AI consulting. The company delivers outcomes through time-limited initiatives (90-day programmes) rather than ongoing retainer arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Oakland Group is a Leeds-based data and AI consultancy delivering end-to-end professional services across Data Strategy, Data Management (including Data Governance), Platform and Data Engineering, Analytics and Insights, and Artificial Intelligence (generative and agentic AI). Engagements are delivered via 90-day initiatives using proprietary methodologies such as the Lighthouse Project approach and a Modular Data Platform deployment model, targeting UK enterprise clients and ambitious SMEs.

Product overview

Oakland is a data and AI consultancy providing end-to-end services as a unified offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Their portfolio consists of six interconnected service lines: Data Strategy (foundational planning), Data Management including Data Governance Consulting, Platform and Data Engineering (delivered via their Modular Data Platform approach achieving deployment in as little as a week), Analytics and Insights, and Artificial Intelligence (encompassing Custom AI Solutions and AI Consulting). These services are unified by their Lighthouse Project Methodology for balanced transformation and the Data Maturity Framework for assessment. The company also operates sector-specific practices for Water Utilities, Media & Telecoms, and Rail & Transport. Their approach delivers 90-day initiatives focused on rapid value realization while building sustainable internal client capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Data Strategy

Quantifiable outcome

• Live data platforms deployed in as little as one week
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft is a global leader in data and AI technology. Oakland is partnered with Microsoft as a Microsoft partner, providing access to cutting-edge Microsoft technology tailored to clients' data management needs. Partnership logo displayed on website indicating official Microsoft partnership status.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Slalom: US-headquartered technology and data consultancy with strong regional delivery model, serving mid-market and enterprise clients on data strategy, analytics, and AI. Highly comparable to Oakland on service mix (strategy through AI implementation) and mid-sized consultancy positioning, though operating at significantly larger scale.
• Thoughtworks: Global technology consultancy specializing in data platforms, engineering, and AI/ML delivery for enterprise clients. Comparable to Oakland on data platform engineering focus, AI consulting capability, and enterprise-focused delivery model.
• BJSS: UK-headquartered technology and data consultancy of similar size (~1,500-2,000 staff) serving enterprise and public-sector clients. Closest size-and-geography peer to Oakland, with overlapping service lines in data engineering, cloud, and AI advisory.
• AND Digital: UK-based digital and data consultancy serving enterprise clients on data platforms, analytics, and AI. Similar size range and delivery model to Oakland, with comparable vertical specialism and emphasis on rapid value delivery alongside long-term transformation.

Broad incumbents

• Capgemini Invent: Digital transformation and data/AI consulting arm of Capgemini, serving large enterprise clients across the UK and globally. Overlaps directly with Oakland on data strategy, data platforms, and AI consulting, but operates at much larger scale and with deeper global resourcing.
• Accenture (Data & AI practice): Global professional services firm with a large data and AI consulting practice serving enterprise clients across all major verticals. Direct overlap with Oakland on enterprise data strategy and AI consulting, but vastly larger bench and global delivery footprint.
• Deloitte (Analytics & AI): Big Four professional services firm with a sizeable UK analytics and AI consulting practice. Competes with Oakland for enterprise data transformation mandates, including regulated sectors like rail and utilities where Oakland has named wins.
• PwC (Data & Analytics): Big Four professional services firm with a UK data and analytics consulting practice. Direct competitor for enterprise data strategy, governance, and AI advisory engagements, particularly in regulated industries and the public sector.

Emerging players

• Databricks (Professional Services): Data and AI platform vendor with growing professional services arm that helps enterprises implement data platforms, analytics, and AI. Comparable to Oakland on data platform engineering and AI implementation, but also a potential technology partner rather than pure competitor.

Others

• Softcat (parent): FTSE 250 IT infrastructure reseller that acquired Oakland Group in March 2026. Now the parent and route to market for Oakland's data and AI consulting services, particularly relevant as Oakland's services are bundled with Softcat's infrastructure offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oakland-group
• Xx.com/dataispeople

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Oakland Group