Focus Group Acquires swcomms

Focus Group has acquired UC and cloud services provider swcomms as it looks to expand its datacentre business.

The acquisition, described by swcomms as a “considerable investment”, follows the retirement of chairman and CEO, Tony Rowe, with swcomms continuing to operate under its brand name.

Focus Group, co-founder, Ralph Gilbert, specifically pointed to swcomms data centre business, which is currently being expanded, as a cause for excitement, as the IT provider looks to grow its offering past voice and UC to cloud and IT infrastructure.

“I’m delighted to welcome swcomms to the Focus Group family,” said Gilbert. “They have built a wonderful business over the past 38 years.

“With their vast range of solutions, experience in data centre technology, their culture and management team, I’m excited to unite with swcomms to accelerate growth in the south-west of the UK”

Focus Group’s said the acquisition will provide swcomms with ‘valuable resources and opportunity for growth in the future’ with the added benefit of extending its geographical reach in the south-west.

The majority of the existing swcomms management team and employees will continue to work from their head office in Exeter, after signing a long-term lease, and have started recruiting new staff through its training academy.

Brian Lodge, Managing Director at swcomms, said: “The investment from Focus Group will coincide with some great opportunities in the market, created by a shift in the industry towards cloud, connectivity and home working as well as Openreach’s withdrawal of copper voice and internet services.

“Being part of the Focus Group will give us all the wider benefits of a £100 million turnover business while still allowing us to maintain a local and personal service to our customers by utilising the commitment and expertise of our staff.”