Suffolk's HALO lands Scotland national team partnership

Why it matters: HALO's first national team sponsorship marks a significant step for the global IT service management company based in Stowmarket, which has built a growing sports portfolio including Ipswich Town and the World Snooker Championship.

What he's saying: "I've followed Scotland home and away since I was a kid, living every high and low with the team," said CEO Paul Hamilton. "To now be in a position where we can work with the SPFL, SWPL, and the national team is honestly beyond my wildest dreams. It's a privilege and a responsibility we take seriously, to help Scottish football flourish for years to come."

The details: As official technology partner, HALO has secured a three-year deal with the Scottish Football Association (Scottish FA), Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) and Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL). The company will provide in-game data and statistics for SPFL and SWPL league matches, the SPFL Premier Sports Cup and SWPL's Sky Sports Cup, as well as supporting long-term digital transformation across the three governing bodies.

The bigger picture: The Scotland deal adds to HALO's sports portfolio, which includes front-of-shirt sponsorship of Ipswich Town and title partnership of the 2025 World Snooker Championship.

The Stowmarket firm provides IT service management software to organisations worldwide. It is now worth over £1bn, employs around 150 people at its Gipping Way headquarters and serves clients including Microsoft and Red Bull.

The bottom line: Hamilton followed Scotland as a child. Now his Stowmarket firm HALO sponsors both the Scotland national team and Ipswich Town Football Club.