Six months is a long time in the technology business, particularly for organisations that have just completed a significant merger.
It was confirmed that IT solutions provider Wavenet was merging with Daisy Corporate Services (DCS) in May, becoming the UK’s largest independent IT managed services provider (MSP) in the process. Overnight, the combined business, which will formally be called Wavenet as of February 1, started to support over 22,000 organisations with cloud comms, cybersecurity, and connectivity solutions.
In July, Wavenet’s previous CEO, Philip Grannum, was given the responsibility of leading this newly formed MSP behemoth. It’s been an understandably whirlwind half-year since then. How does he reflect on how the merger came to be, the half-year since, and the road ahead?
“Uniting two large organisations like Wavenet and Daisy Corporate Services is a big task, so meticulous planning was extremely important,” Grannum told UC Today. We have structured integration teams in place, and we’re ensuring everyone stays informed, engaged, and empowered throughout the process.”
“We are moving at pace across the whole business, and from February 1, DCS will be rebranded to Wavenet. It’s truly inspiring to witness the potential of this merger coming to life as we blend our strengths into a shared, unified vision for the future.”
Grannum began his career at Xerox as a graduate accountant before transitioning to the telecoms industry in the 1990s. After leadership roles at Energis, Easynet, and Interoute, he joined Wavenet in 2018 and became CEO in 2023. As he outlined, Wavenet has grown “twenty-fold” over the past seven years.
That merger-accelerated growth is spectacular, with Wavenet acquiring five other businesses since 2021, but they’re only (major) milestones on a longer journey. Grannum emphasised that the combined company astutely positions Wavenet to fulfil its long-term strategic goals.
“It aligns perfectly with our long-term goals of scaling our operations, expanding our solutions portfolio, and delivering greater value to our customers,” Grannum said. “By joining forces with DCS, we’ve gained the ability to operate on a larger scale while maintaining the agility and customer-first approach that Wavenet is known for. It reinforces our commitment to innovation and ensures that we remain at the forefront of addressing the evolving needs of businesses in an increasingly digital world.”
Underpinning the fusion of two prominent IT solutions and service providers is the latent potential to leverage the strengths of both businesses to gain a competitive edge and be a market leader and innovator. As Grannum testified: “The combined expertise and resources of Wavenet and DCS create an unparalleled opportunity to deliver enhanced solutions to our customers.
“For example, DCS’s enterprise-grade experience complements Wavenet’s robust suite of unified communications, cybersecurity, and cloud services,” he continued. “Together, we’re able to support businesses of all sizes, offering tailored solutions that integrate seamlessly across diverse platforms.”
Grannum added that the teams of both companies are working to blend the best practices from both organisations, ensuring that the new Wavenet can provide innovative, scalable solutions while keeping customer satisfaction at the core of everything it does. “This combination gives us a unique edge in a highly competitive market,” he stressed.
New opportunities extend to new potential market segments, with Grannum asserting the combined company can expand its “capability, reference-ability and reach”.
“Whilst we provide solutions and services to all industries, our key sectors include health, education, retail, financial services and manufacturing,” Grannum said. “Additionally, we see great potential in supporting medium-sized businesses looking to embrace hybrid working and advanced cloud technologies.”
The merger also allows the new Wavenet to cover the lengths and breadths of the UK more comprehensively: “With our combined portfolio, we’re in an excellent position to support digital transformation projects for organisations across the UK. Geographically, the merger strengthens our presence nationwide, with offices and expertise reaching every single corner of the country.”
What of the people and organisations that matter most? How has the merger impacted Wavenet and DCS’s customers, both existing and new? And what has been the strategy for maintaining excellent customer service during this transition period?
“For both new and existing customers, the merger brings the benefit of a wider range of solutions and greater scalability without compromising on the exceptional service they’ve come to expect,” Grannum outlined.
“Our focus during the integration is to ensure a seamless transition. We’ve invested heavily in customer service enhancements, including launching a new contact centre and adopting advanced platforms like ServiceNow to streamline support and provide greater transparency. By leveraging the combined expertise of our teams and the strength of our solutions, we’re committed to delivering an enhanced level of service to all our customers.”
Grannum also highlighted that the combined company has just launched an Executive Sponsor programme, through which its top 250 customers will have a dedicated member of Wavenet’s senior management team aligned to support them.
What of the road ahead? What are the growth plans for the next five years or so, and how does Wavenet intend to milestone them?
“Looking ahead, our growth strategy focuses on three key areas: innovation, customer experience, and talent development,” Grannum outlined. “We aim to continue expanding our capabilities in unified communications, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions to meet the growing needs of businesses.”
“Additionally, we’re investing in R&D to develop cutting-edge solutions that help businesses navigate emerging challenges,” he continued. “On the talent front, we want to be the employer of choice in our industry, further strengthening our culture of innovation and collaboration. Our overarching goal is to empower our customers to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.”
Wavenet also has a coordinated ESG strategy, centring on achieving net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, advancing diversity and inclusion, and maintaining robust governance standards.
Grannum stressed that the essence of the new Wavenet’s long-term vision is to “create a new class of managed service provider, blending our scale with agility to offer customers specialist expertise, unrivalled buying power and diverse vendor relationships”.
If those goals can be realised, there’s no reason why they can’t achieve their corresponding, ambitious financial targets: “We’ve acquired six other businesses since 2021, but this latest deal with DCS will see our annual turnover reach £420 million,” he continued. “The acquisition strategy will continue, and a major milestone over the medium term is to achieve £1 billion in annual revenue.”
