SD Worx expands French presence with Socialea acquisition
ANTWERP, BELGIUM — European HR solutions provider SD Worx has announced the acquisition of Socialea, a French payroll provider with a strong reputation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), for an undisclosed amount.
The move marks a significant step in SD Worx’s strategy to deepen its presence in France, the third-largest payroll market in Europe, and to expand its reach within the domestic SME segment.
“This acquisition is great news for our French business. Socialea brings in a wealth of local expertise, a strong client base, and a solid reputation in the SME segment — all of which are essential as we deepen our roots in France,” said Dominique Tassent, EVP Benelux & Southern EU at SD Worx.
SD Worx CEO Kobe Verdonck emphasized the strategic value of the deal: “With Socialea, we are acquiring a profitable growth company with a strong reputation in the SME market. This perfectly fits our strategy: continuing our European expansion and strengthening our local presence in existing markets.”
Payroll expertise and local reach of Socialea
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Nantes, Socialea specializes in managed payroll services and legal advisory for SMEs, with additional offices in Saint-Nazaire and Rennes. Socialea’s core offerings also include legal advisory services and the provision of MySilae payroll solutions.
Socialea serves companies ranging from 1 to 1,500 employees and collaborates closely with accounting firms, a sector SD Worx aims to develop further.
“We’ve always been proud of our deep expertise in payroll for French SMEs, and now, as part of a larger European player, we can contribute to a broader international growth story,” said Gaëlle Arzur, founder of Socialea.
“This acquisition gives us the opportunity to continue doing what we do best, while benefiting from the strength, scale, and vision of a leading European HR solutions provider.”
About SD Worx
SD Worx operates in 27 countries and employs nearly 10,000 people. The company provides a comprehensive suite of HR and payroll solutions, including:
- Payroll & reward management
- Human capital management
- Workforce management software and services
With a client base of about 95,000 organizations and payroll processing for approximately 6 million employees, SD Worx reported revenues of €1.18 billion (US$1.4 billion) in 2024.
