66 DEALMAKERS
GROWING THE DAISY CHAIN
Nelson-based Daisy Communications has acquired IT, mobile, telephony and telematics provider Communicate Better as its acquisition drive shows no signs of slowing.
The purchase of the Warrington company expands Daisy’s customer base and adds telematics, including business fleet management, vehicle tracking and route optimisation, to its wide portfolio of services.
From the seller’s side, the deal will allow Communicate Better to continue following its ambitious growth plans. No figure has been put on the deal.
In the last 12 months, Daisy, founded by entrepreneur and current group chairman Matthew Riley, has made a number business gains, bringing the XLN Group and Premier Choice Telecom into its expanding operation.
Matthew has sought to grow Daisy by positioning it at the heart of the country’s transition to digital telecoms services offering access greater speed, reliability and security.
The group says the latest acquisition will bolster the company’s ability to provide its clients a resource that reflects its service and implementation values.
We’ve worked with the shareholders for many
years and have advised on multiple acquisitions
Dave McGinn, Daisy Communications chief executive, explains: “This is a promising partnership to add to our flourishing portfolio, increasing our footprint in telephony products, enhancing our Microsoft relationship, and accruing telematic products.
“I am excited to welcome our new colleagues and customers to the Daisy family and to continue our journeys together.”
James Kennedy, director at accountancy firm Cowgills, was part of the corporate finance team that advised on the sale and believes the deal opens up new opportunities.
He says: “Communicate Better has a strong track record of successfully acquiring and integrating businesses which have helped them to expand their service offering, increase customer numbers and improve cross- selling opportunities.
“We’ve worked with the shareholders for many years and have advised on multiple acquisitions, most recently the acquisition of Staveley Communications last year.
Matthew Riley
“The shareholders’ unique vision and collective experience in the telecoms sector has underpinned the hugely successful journey, and we are proud to have supported them and the team to achieve this sale.”
Wayne Cartwright, Communicate Better chief executive, says: “I’ve been at the helm of Communicate Better for over 12 years and we’ve come a long way to make the company the success it is during this time.
“Now is the right time for me to step aside and hand the reins over to Daisy Communications in the knowledge that the staff and customers are in very trusted and capable hands.”
The XLN deal, struck earlier this year, saw the small business division of Daisy grow to more than 200,000 customers, pushing revenues beyond £200m.
XLN provides business broadband, phones and card payments to more than 100,000 small businesses generating an income of £53m last year.
Speaking after that deal, reported to be worth around £210m, Matthew Riley said: “With so much investment across the UK to improve the fibre infrastructure, Daisy is now well-positioned to help unlock the enhanced speed, reliability and security that customers want in their offices and shops up and down the country.
“There is also a vast opportunity in the creation of jobs as we need more staff to help deliver that service.”
SOLVING BUSINESS OBJECTIVES
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