Chess checkmates 45th firm

Fast-growing VAR buys NPC Telecom

Richard Btesh: Market consolidation enables us to approach increasingly significant targets

The Chess Telecom acquisition juggernaut continues to rumble onwards after the telecoms VAR made its 45th conquest in six years.

Chess today announced it has grabbed NPC Telecom in a deal it said would allow the sellers to capitalise on their assets in the knowledge that their customers would be well looked after.

Alderley Edge-based Chess has made The Sunday Times Tech Track 100 list of fast-growing UK tech firms for the past three years. For the year to April 2009 it increased turnover by 22 per cent to £25.7m, while net profit doubled to £1.6m.

Chess director Richard Btesh said Chess’ ability to tailor deals to fit the sellers’ requirements gives it an edge.

He added: “Continued market consolidation means our list is always growing and our flexibility and reputation enables us to approach increasingly significant targets. 2010 continues to be an exciting and challenging year for all of us at Chess.”

NPC Telecom director Phil Murphy said: “If I had to perform another exit strategy I wouldn’t hesitate to go directly to Chess, where I’m confident I would get a quick decision, a fair settlement and a truly efficient transfer performed by people who really know the telecoms business and migrations.”