Datatrade revs up after MBO

Former XMA heavyweight Kevin Mansworth among fresh blood to come on board Northampton-based VAR

Handover: MBO was agreed last week

Print solution specialist Datatrade is on a path to growth under a new team after its management buy-out last week.

The Northampton-based VAR’s shareholders Mark James, Sue James and Clive Lacey led the MBO for an undisclosed sum, to create a new holding company, Datatrade Holdings Ltd.

The team have brought in a wealth of experience including Kevin Mansworth as non-executive chairman, who built up and sold XMA to distributor Westcoast in 2007. Other executive roles filled include Pete Laplanche as sales director and Justin Clubb as financial director.

Mark James, managing director of Datatrade, told CRN: “There was no real nucleus taking the business forward before the MBO, but now we are keen to open up our trade channel.

“We are particularly pleased to have Kevin on board. He brings a wealth of experience to the table.”