User Vision was one of the first dedicated UK consultancies focused on user experience and accessibility across both digital and physical products and services. The Edinburgh-based agency applies extensive research methods such as surveys, interviews, focus groups and behavioural studies to give organisations a clear understanding of customer needs, pain points and motivations. This insight enables clients to develop and deliver user-centric strategies that improve engagement, accessibility, and satisfaction. In addition, User Vision provides service design expertise, audits, and training.

Over the past 25 years, the business has worked with more than 350 clients in over 50 countries, with longstanding relationships including Emirates, NHS, People’s Postcode Lottery and Vodafone.

Fuelled by expanding digital adoption across sectors and a stronger emphasis on customer-centric design, the UK UX market was valued at approximately $315 million (c. £233m) in 2024 and is projected to grow 16.3% by 2031. This growth represents a significant opportunity for User Vision to expand its services and support more organisations in delivering accessible, research-led design.

Following the funding from IFS, Maven Equity Finance will support the company’s next phase of growth, including the appointment of Martin Dempsey, an experienced commercial leader with a background spanning financial services, technology and professional services, as CEO, and Adrian Astley Jones, a seasoned private equity executive and board advisor, as chair, to strengthen User Vision’s leadership and drive a more targeted sales strategy.

The investment will also support business development and marketing activity and expansion into more verticals within the wider digital transformation market. This marks the next stage in User Vision’s journey, focused on delivering ‘Insight that transforms experiences’ for clients across the UK and internationally.

Rob Stevenson, investment manager at Maven, said: “User Vision is a highly respected consultancy with deep expertise in user research and accessibility.

“As organisations increasingly recognise the importance of customer-centric design, the business is well placed to take advantage of growing demand for UX and accessibility services.

“We are delighted to be supporting the team as they scale, with the appointment of Martin Dempsey and Adrian Astley Jones bringing further strength to the leadership team.”

Chris Rourke, founder and executive director of User Vision, said: “This investment is a powerful endorsement of everything User Vision stands for—our people, our expertise, and our reputation for pioneering research and user-centre design of services and products that makes a genuine difference.

“From day one we have believed in research-led, evidence-driven inclusive design, and this new partnership with Maven will help us amplify our impact, enabling more organisations to deliver experiences that are not only exceptional, but accessible to all.”

Sarah Newbould, senior investment manager at Nations & Regions Investment Funds, the British Business Bank, said: “Scotland’s technology ecosystem continues to add significant value to the economy, supporting jobs and competing on a global stage.

“The £150m Investment Fund for Scotland is helping to support smaller businesses in this fastest-growing sector. User Vision is well positioned for growth, and we are pleased to see it access the finance needed to  support the business throughout its next stage.”