01732 759725 24 RESELLER NEWS Kick ICT moves forward with LDC LDC has made a significant investment in Kick ICT, Scotland’s largest independent IT managed service provider, as part of a successful exit by BGF which has backed the business since 2021. The investment by the Lloyds Banking Group-owned private equity investor will support Kick ICT and its existing management team on the next stage of an ambitious buy and build growth strategy that has already seen it complete nine acquisitions. These include Consilium in 2022 and, most recently, Dundee-based Microsoft Dynamics 365 specialist C2 Software Limited in November 2023. Founded in 2015, Kick ICT provides managed IT, communications and digital transformation services to 1,000 customers, specialising in business and finance solutions from Microsoft and Infor, alongside modern infrastructure, cloud and IT support. It employs over 170 staff. CEO Tom O’Hara said: “Our business has achieved exceptional growth over the last few years. We’ve continued to invest in our technology and people, and brought a number of exciting, innovative companies into the group to expand the range of services and levels of expertise that we provide to our customers. The team at LDC have a great deal of hands-on experience in helping businesses like ours to grow through acquisition, making them the perfect partner as we expand our presence in Scotland and across the UK.” Evolve extends its reach Evolve, a managed network specialist for multi-site deployments, has extended its reach to the East Riding and Lincolnshire through a partnership with wholesale-only full fibre network operator MS3 Networks. The partnership will enable Evolve to use MS3’s XGS-PON network to bring cutting-edge solutions to businesses in a part of the country where it has not previously had a full fibre network partner. XGS-PON technology is a key component of Evolve’s service offering. As well as enabling full fibre broadband to provide businesses with high-speed, reliable and scalable internet connectivity, it supports the use of network monitoring tools, cloud computing programs and realtime firewalls. Neil Muttock, Commercial Director of Evolve, said: “Evolve’s partnership with MS3 Networks is a game-changer for businesses seeking a reliable, efficient and bespoke communication infrastructure. Full fibre connectivity is a crucial component of many of our IT services, and partnering with MS3 enables us to offer our services to a new market, creating a greater choice of robust, reliable services to businesses in the region.” Sam Hales, Sales and Marketing Director at MS3, added: “Welcoming Evolve to our network of partners presents an opportunity for businesses in the North to take advantage of tailored IT solutions. Our network is expanding across the North of England and over 535,000 premises should expect coverage by 2025. Evolve’s business comms products are now available to a market that has previously not had access to them.” Paragon acquires Communisis assets Paragon Customer Communications (London) Ltd, a provider of transactional communications, procurement services and marketing execution to customers in the FMCG, retail and regulated markets, has acquired certain assets of Communisis, which went into administration after Christmas. These include its Brand Deployment (BD) business, which provides marketing services to some of the world’s biggest brands including point of sale, digital displays, brand merchandise and print. Paragon is also acquiring certain assets of the Communisis Customer Experience (CE) business, a provider of multi-channel customer communications services to UK financial and public institutions, including printing and mailing. The 300-person BD business, which includes brand agencies Twelve and Editions and point of purchase specialist Vox Group, adds new customers and expands the range of services that Paragon can offer to existing clients. Paragon’s acquisition of the CE assets is principally to maintain services to Lloyds Banking Group, notably the processing of more than 100 million communications to and from customers annually. Interpath Advisory, which was appointed Administrator of Communisis Limited on December 28, 2023, says the transactions will safeguard 581 jobs, with 638 group employees being made redundant. https://www.paragon.world/en-gb Xperience Group, a provider of cloud & IT services, cyber security, CRM and ERP, has strengthened its business applications capabilities with the acquisition of IT solutions provider GCC Group Limited (GCC). Founded in 1992 and with offices in London and Gloucester, GCC provides ERP/CRM solutions and managed IT services to more than 600 organisations in the not-for-profit, professional services, wholesale, distribution and financial services sectors. GCC, which will now trade under the Xperience brand, is the Group’s first acquisition since Bowmark Capital invested in the business, and its third in the last 24 months. During this time, Xperience has more than doubled its headcount to over 230 employees, grown its SME customer base to 1,400, increased turnover to more than £30 million and expanded its geographical reach with offices in Peterborough, Bury St Edmunds, Glasgow, Lisburn, London and Gloucester. Xperience CEO Iain O’Kane said: “Xperience is a rapidly growing business with a strong management team, financial track record and a successful history of acquiring high performing businesses. The acquisition of GCC is strategically important as Xperience continues to build out its Business Application capabilities, enhancing our client proposition and broadening our footprint in the UK.” www.xperience-group.com Xperience strengthens ERP/CRM expertise with GCC acquisition Tom O’Hara
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