Wavenet CEO Phil Grannum says the rebrand of major acquisition target Daisy Corporate Services (DCS) to Wavenet marks the start of a new era in the MSP’s journey towards becoming a £1 billion business.
As one of the biggest and most ambitious MSPs, Wavenet has taken actions that show what’s possible in the ICT channel and continues to expand, scale and create opportunities – and lead by example. The Solihull headquartered firm began life in 2000 and today provides telecoms, cybersecurity, IT and technology solutions to circa 22,000 customers across the UK through a number of regional offices. And the landmark DCS merger propelled annual turnover to £420 million. Now, Grannum is forecasting revenues of circa £1 billion within three to five years.
“Long-term, our strategy revolves around scaling operations, driving innovation and maintaining our customer-first approach as we continue the journey towards becoming a £1 billion revenue business and a leader in the MSSP space,” stated Grannum. “Achieving our goals will require continued investment in innovation, talent development and strategic acquisitions, all while staying true to our customer-first ethos. I wholeheartedly believe we can get there.”
Key to realising the £1 billion revenue target will be Wavenet’s approach to maximising the potential of integrated solutions. It’s a strategy that received a major boost following the DCS deal. “DCS brings enterprise grade expertise and a strong foothold in key sectors like health, education, retail, manufacturing and financial services, which complements Wavenet’s capabilities in UC, cybersecurity and cloud services,” explained Grannum. “The acquisition also expands our geographic reach and allows us to serve a larger customer base with tailored solutions. The scale and potential of this deal positions us for unprecedented growth.”
Future-focused
Grannum also noted that the increasing complexity of digital transformation and growing cybersecurity threats are shaping his future-focused approach. “We’re responding by developing innovative solutions, strengthening vendor relationships and ensuring a seamless customer experience,” he added. “We’re also leveraging data and insights to better understand customer needs and refine our offerings, keeping us agile in a competitive market.”
The quest for operational excellence is also a priority, which, says Grannum, starts with seamless integration. “Structured teams are working across the business to align operations, unify our solutions portfolio and maintain customer satisfaction,” he added. “The DCS rebrand to Wavenet this month is reflective of a unified identity. Optimisation also involves leveraging the combined expertise and resources of both businesses. This means creating value through efficiency, innovation and scalability. So we’re implementing new platforms like ServiceNow to streamline processes and enhance customer service.”
Success factors
According to Grannum, one of Wavenet’s big success factors resides in its ability to deliver tailored, scalable solutions that address the particular needs of customers and sectors, while operating as an extension of their IT teams as a trusted partner. Grannum aims to leverage this growth platform as he seeks to build on trends like hybrid working, advanced cloud and AI adoption, and maximise the opportunity represented by increasing demand for robust cybersecurity measures.
Achieving our goals will require continued investment in innovation, talent development and strategic acquisitions, all while staying true to our customer-first ethos. I wholeheartedly believe we can get there
“We are creating a new class of managed service provider, setting a higher benchmark for excellence in our industry, offering cutting-edge solutions while maintaining a customer-first ethos,” he claimed. “The DCS acquisition aligns perfectly with this strategy, adding scale, expertise and breadth to our operations. It enables us to meet the evolving needs of businesses while continuing to innovate and lead in UC, cybersecurity and cloud services.”
Of course, M&A remains a core part of Wavenet’s growth strategy. The company will continue looking for opportunities as closely as it keeps an eye on the market and technology trends that matter most, according to Grannum. He’s especially interested in hybrid working trends, the acceleration of cloud adoption and the growing importance of advanced cybersecurity technologies, along with the rise of AI, machine learning and automation.
“These trends are central to our strategy, guiding our investment in R&D and shaping our portfolio,” he stated. “Another trend is how ESG is becoming an important thread within most businesses, and how that impacts customers, employees and stakeholders. At Wavenet, our ESG strategy is centred on achieving Net Zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. We’re also advancing diversity and inclusion and maintaining robust governance standards.”
Leading Wavenet through its growth trajectory is a natural progression for Grannum that builds on his foundational career experiences. He started out at Xerox in a graduate accounting role but soon became captivated by the telecoms industry during its period of rapid growth in the 1990s. “I’ve always been drawn to dynamic and transformative industries,” said Grannum. “Moving to companies like Energis, MDNX and Easynet gave me invaluable experience in sales leadership, international team management and navigating acquisitions. These experiences shaped my understanding of how to drive growth and transformation – skills that are crucial in my current role as Wavenet CEO.”
Phil Grannum on his leadership priorities
Leadership is about fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and accountability. And success comes from empowering teams, maintaining transparency and staying agile.