Livingbridge-backed cloud services provider FluidOne has acquired a Sheffield-based IT business.
The acquisition of Connect Yorkshire member Highlander Computing Solutions Ltd, which has 650 customers and 70 employees, expands FluidOne’s reach into the North of England.
Highlander will continue to be led by managing director Steve Brown and will become a centre of excellence for IT managed services for the existing FluidOne customers with between ten and 200 employees.
The company will combine the existing FluidOne IT teams based in Cheltenham, Colgate and London into a branch network providing local account management, engineering and centralised leadership.
Russell Horton, FluidOne chife executive, said: “Bringing Highlander into the group is an exciting move for us as their services really complement those in our existing portfolio, further strengthening our Connected Cloud solutions, as well as enabling us to bring a strong IT service offering to small and medium enterprises.
“As I got to know Steve and his senior team I realised what a strong fit they are to our strategy, with loyal and skilled staff, excellent customer service, and a portfolio that fills gaps in our IT offering. We have worked together on a joint strategy with ambitious plans to scale out Highlander as a centre of excellence within the FluidOne group leading a branch network of SME IT services in addition to their strength in enterprise IT infrastructure.”
Steve Brown, Highlander Computing Solutions Ltd managing director, added: “When FluidOne approached us, we weren’t up for sale. In fact, we’d been approached many times by other companies in the past, but had never found the right fit for our future. However, when we had a conversation with FluidOne, everything just fell into place.
“FluidOne provides the right cultural fit, quality customer service and the opportunity to invest in Sheffield as an HQ and growing hub for SME IT and for enterprise IT infrastructure. I’m excited to bring our expertise to a wider customer base across the UK and to strengthen what we can provide our existing customers with wider FluidOne Connected Cloud services.”
FluidOne is a £92m-turnover business that employs 390 staff and supports 2,000 customers. The management team is backed by Livingbridge.
Article via insidermedia.com
