Comms Dealer

Security firm Sophos has appointed Vin Murria to its board of directors as a non-executive director and a member of the nominations and remuneration committees.

Murria brings more than 25 years experience in building technology companies in the UK, working with both private and publically listed companies in the software sector.

She was the founder and CEO at Advanced Computer Software for seven years until it was sold to Vista Equity Partners in 2015.

Prior to that Murria was CEOof Computer Software Group which was backed by HG Capital and then acquired Hellman & Friedman in 2007.

Her earlier career includes 15 years with Kewill Systems where she was CEO before leaving in 2002.

And she was named Cisco's Woman of the Year and Tech Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012.

Peter Gyenes, Chairman of Sophos, said: "Vin is a successful entrepreneur with a strong background in building and advising technology-based companies and growing shareholder value.

"Her deep understanding of this market and significant UK listed company experience will be of great benefit to the board as Sophos continues to execute on its strategy."

Murria is currently a non-executive director for Softcat and Zoopla Property Group, and she is a partner at Elderstreet Investments.

Previously, she has held non-executive director positions for Chime Communications, Greenko Group and Concateno.

Managed IT services firm GCI has acquired Herts-based Freedom Communications for an undisclosed sum, GCI's fifth acquisition in under 12 months. GCI CEO Adrian Thirkill stated: "Our acquisition of Freedom is another steady step in our journey to deliver progressive and cost efficient managed services to all our customers.

"Freedom's heritage and skills as a UC systems integrator and its focus on transitioning customers from old world to new is aligned with our own growth strategy and is a great fit for us.

"We are backing the big four of UC, cloud, compliance and security, underpinned by next generation infrastructure and networking technologies.

Freedom Communications adds another 40,000-plus Skype for Business seats to GCI's Microsoft UCaaS arm taking it to more than 180,000 Skype for Business seats overall.

Freedom Communications MD commented: "Not only is this great news for our people, but it is also great news for all our customers now gearing to full UC adoption. Exciting times ahead."

Clare Barclay, General Manager at Microsoft UK, stated: "Freedom Communications is of course already well known to us as a Microsoft partner and has a great track record. The collective strengths and learnings across the blended GCI, Outsourcery, Freedom Communications operation means that customers are in a great position to benefit from its expertise in Microsoft Office 365, Skype for Business and Azure.

"The age of digital transformation is upon us, and it is organisations like GCI that will help customers truly reap the benefits."

Another driver for the deal is Freedom Communications' expertise in the public sector where it is listed on nine of the 11 lots of RM1045 Network Services Framework - which the public sector uses to procure Unified Communications and network related services.

More on this story

The trading of Alternative Networks shares on AIM has today been cancelled following the completion of its acquisition by Daisy Group.

Each of the non-executive directors of Alternative Networks has resigned as a director with immediate effect.

Alternative Networks shareholders will receive 335 pence in cash for each share held.

The acquisition values Alternative Networks at £184m.

Daisy Group CEO Neil Muller said: "This announcement builds upon our successful acquisition strategy, to enable our customers to take advantage of digital technology in a converging world of business communications and IT. 

"Alternative Networks is one of the largest independent providers of IT managed services and business-to-business communications in the UK and represents a strong and complementary strategic fit with our existing business and operations.

 "Having respected Alternative Networks for many years, we look forward to further enhancing our capability and scale across our chosen markets and we believe the combined group will be well positioned to increase its market share further.\"

Alternative Networks plc Executive Chairman James Murray said: "Alternative Networks faces rising demand from customers to procure, manage and support the complete chain of enterprise IT and communication solutions. 

"The combination with Daisy will ensure that the company is placed to capitalise on future growth opportunities. 

"In particular, the strong complementarity and strategic fit between Daisy and Alternative Networks will ensure our competitiveness and benefit our customers through access to a broader range of unified communications solutions.\"

Vodafone is aiming to secure a larger slice of the UC, cloud and enterprise mobile markets with a new ramped up channel programme.

The mobile giant, which brought fixed line voice and data services into its portfolio via the acquisition of Cable&Wireless over four years ago, has finally delivered an unequivocal 'work with us' message to resellers frustrated by not being able to deliver joined up communications to enterprise customers.

The company has already accredited 100 partners in the first phase of its new Vodafone Partner Programme, which promises upgraded training, market and technology expertise and, for the first time, certification across the Vodafone Fixed, Mobile, Converged and Cloud portfolio of technologies.

Vodafone says the move to highlight partner capabilities has been made to support customer requirements as businesses seek trusted expertise in communications infrastructure and services to support smart working practices and digital transformation initiatives. 

Nick Birtwistle, Director of Partners and Strategic Alliances at Vodafone UK, told Comms Dealer: "The new programme will be a major factor in our growth as all new propositions coming into the channel will use the programme's capabilities and benefits for partners.

"We are continuing to invest in partner enablement tools such as systems and portals to help our partners serve their customers better and make it easy to work with Vodafone.

"The market is changing significantly and digital transformation is becoming ever more important with the adoption of cloud and the Internet of Things among other areas. 

"Combined with customers requiring improved levels of support and looking for trusted partners, and the continuing shift to unified communications from siloed comms, the communications industry has a leading role to play and Vodafone is looking to lead that transformation through the channel."

London-based Virtual1 has kicked off the new year with a £10m investment boost that will spur the firm's growing infrastructure and channel ambitions. The London-based cloud and connectivity service provider secured the cash from BGF (Business Growth Fund) and will invest in additional network infrastructure that will underpin its longer-term growth plans.

Steve Scott, former COO of Bridgehouse Capital, will continue to be Virtual1's Non-Executive Chairman, and Phil Male (formerly Chief Strategy Officer at Cable&Wireless) will join the board as Non-Executive Director following an introduction by BGF.

Virtual1 delivers cloud and connectivity services exclusively to the wholesale market and was founded in 2007 by CEO Tom O'Hagan.

The company featured in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 for three consecutive years and generated revenue close to £18m in 2015/16.

O'Hagan said: "The funding allows us to accelerate our expansion strategy while retaining control of the business. We are excited about embarking on the next phase of growth."

BGF investor and Virtual1 board member Chris Hodges added: "Virtual1 is led by a strong and ambitious leadership team and growing fast as it continues to capitalise on the increasing demands for cloud and connectivity solutions in the wholesale market."

BGF has invested more than £1bn in UK small and mid-sized companies including unified business communications providers Olive Communications and Maintel, both Virtual1 customers.

The sales team at Network Provider of the Year Virtual1 truly believe Christmas is a time for singing and giving. To get into the festive spirit click on the link below, singalong with the Virtual1 Choir and pledge some cash for the Restless Development charity. Merry Christmas one and all!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZEH8U56my0

IT distributor Westcoast has notched up 10 years of operation in Ireland following its acquisition of Clarity Ireland in 2006, the Irish distribution arm of Horizon Technology Group.

Dave Dunne, Director at Westcoast Ireland, said: "Clarity is a well-established brand in Irish distribution. However, over the last ten years Westcoast has moved things to a different level. We've had a decade of buoyancy."

Based in Dublin, Westcoast Ireland employs 22 people and is focused on areas such as CSP, HP Enterprise, HPI business and retail.

"Get yourselves ready for what's coming next with Westcoast Ireland," enthused Dunne. "We've got some exciting plans including working with new vendors, boosting our product portfolio, and moving further into potential growth areas such as retail."

The Institute of Telecommunications Professionals (ITP) CEO Ann Potterton has stepped down, making way for Crissi Williams who returns from maternity leave in January.

Lucy Woods, Chairman, said: "Ann's insight into the new apprenticeship levy and her leadership skills have helped us to work out the right direction for the ITP in the future."

"Crissi was instrumental in setting up ITP's apprenticeship scheme and her experience will be key in 2017 as the ITP works with telecoms companies to help them make the most of the levy to grow and develop their own talent."
?In relation to her departure Potterton indicated a desire to fulfil teaching ambitions.

Woods added: "Crissi has worked alongside Ann for a number of years and is best placed to expand and improve the professional, career development and apprenticeship products and services that Ann set up and developed."

Oxfordshire-based tech business Preservica has secured £3m in growth funding from Mobeus Equity Partners.

The deal is expected to boost uptake of Preservica's digital preservation software which is used by over 100 large and small corporate and public sector organisations.

"Preservica has a strong vision and an impressive set of customers," said Trevor Hope, Partner, Mobeus Equity Partners.

"The company has an ambitious plan for growth and a product vision that is transforming the way organisations protect and future-proof digital information.

"This is a disruptive offering, well matched to a vast and growing unmet market need."

Mike Quinn, Preservica CEO, added: "The investment is a validation of the potential of the business and the growing demand for a digital preservation solution that enables organisations to protect the value of their vital digital information.

"The funding will allow us to expand our partnering programme and accelerate our product vision to make digital preservation a seamless and automated part of the digital information lifecycle."

Quinn said that the value of safeguarding digital information cuts across every sector and has wide ranging benefits.

HSBC, which recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, uses its repository of digital material to enhance the value of its brand and protect vital corporate records.

Other organisations such as TfL are using Preservica's platform to work with digital information that is key to maintaining its vast infrastructure, including escalators with an expected life-span of 50 years or more.

Healthcare is also looking to invest in digital preservation to meet accessibility of patient data for 75 years or more, while other organisations are looking to protect intellectual property and re-use research data and digital information for product innovation and competitive advantage.

"The cloud has an important role to play as more organisations adopt a 'cloud first' approach and leverage the cost-efficiencies and inherent durability of cloud storage for safeguarding digital information," stated Quinn.

"Preservica's digital preservation software is architected to take advantage of this, allowing organisations to run the software in the cloud or use a hybrid mix of cloud storage connected to an on-premise deployment."

The company's partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) will also be a key part of its expansion plans.

Theale-based security software firm Clearswift has been sold to Swiss technology company RUAG.

Lyceum-backed Clearswift is expected to generate revenues over £23m in its current financial year and has approximately 140 employees, along with global sales and distribution capabilities with a strong presence in Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific.

This exit represents another successful realisation for Lyceum in the software and technology space, and paves the way for more acquisitions in this sector.

Jeremy Hand, Lyceum Managing Partner, said: "We continue to see great opportunity in the cyber security market, and are looking to partner with more UK based businesses across the space."

Heath Davies, Clearswift CEO, added: "Over the past five years Clearswift has entirely transformed its business, building new solutions and incorporating two technology add-ons.

"Going forward, it is exciting to be at the heart of the new RUAG Cyber Defence business unit. This acquisition allows Clearswift to continue on its current path, with the additional critical mass to support ambitious growth plans."