Innova arrives in UK market

A new hybrid systems integrator and distributor has launched across the EMEA area and is hoping US backing and technology will help it make a splash in the UK market.

Innova Wireless is headed up by former BT and Ericsson executive Martin Cassidy, and will initially employee five staff, who will be housed at its Cambridge headquarters and an office in Gothenburg.

It will be backed by US integrator and distributor CSI and will work with US vendors, including Andrew Corporation and Mobile Access.

Cassidy told CRN he wanted to take on challenging projects to establish his company, revealing he had already closed deals with a university and a sports stadium.

“I did not want to be another UK reseller, I wanted to be European,” he said. “We have good technology, a lot of which comes from the US, and we will get that for other UK resellers. We want to be a major player within 18 months.”

Simon Welch, marketing director of distributor Horizon, said: “There is absolutely an opportunity for channel supporting players, but if you do not have existing revenue streams you need very deep pockets.”