‘Organic growth is more important than acquisitions’: FutureRange MD

Danny McEntee reflects on the firm’s M&A drive, tech strategy and market changes

Dublin-HQ FutureRange has recently made multiple acquisitions across the Irish island under the guidance of MD Danny McEntee.

In an interview with CRN, McEntee argues that while buyouts are an important part of the business’ strategy, organic evolution remains central to its plans.

“We are very focused on organic growth,” he explains.

“Organic growth is actually more important than M&A.”

By deepening relationships with existing customers and strengthening its security-led proposition, FutureRange aims to create sustainable momentum.

Regarding future takeovers, McEntee expects continued deal activity over the next two years, subject to market conditions and available opportunities.

Acquisitions will focus on boosting its geographic footprint across Ireland.

He explains the MSP’s purchase of Belfast-based tech solutions provider EOS Systems in January was driven primarily by location, enabling the company to establish a base in Northern Ireland and support regional growth.

“It was important for us to have a local team and a regional office there,” McEntee says.

The firm also swooped Dublin-headquartered DigitalWell’s managed IT services arm last year.

For now, international expansion is not a priority.

He adds the business has no immediate plans to go further into the UK.

When acquiring companies, FutureRange typically integrates them fully under its own brand.

“By bringing everything under one brand, there’s a single identity,” says McEntee.

Vendor strategy and distie network

McEntee points at Microsoft as being the firm’s main partnering vendors, particularly in cybersecurity and data platforms.

It also works with organisations include Palo Alto for network security.

On the other hand, engagement with Citrix has reduced.

“Citrix has changed significantly. Customers are moving away, and we’re supporting them.”

Rather than expanding its vendor portfolio, FutureRange aims to strengthen its ties with current collaborators to standardise on a core technology stack and improve consistency and support.

“We’ve decided on a technology stack that we want to go to market with,” notes McEntee.

The company also works with distributors for support and guidance.

“It can be difficult to interact directly with large global organisations, so having distributors supporting us has been important.

“Our intention is to build on that.”

Cyber and AI

While the MSP originally built its operations on traditional managed services and end-user support, cybersecurity has become a strategic priority over the past years.

It invested early in building a dedicated security division, which McEntee now describes as its fastest-growing area.

“About seven years ago, we invested in a cybersecurity division.

“That’s our highest growth area and it’s something that we’re quite keen on.”

He says this capability also plays an increasing role in its M&A strategy, allowing FutureRange to enhance the offerings of newly acquired businesses and their customers.

Despite this shift, managed services remain the company’s core.

“That’s our bread and butter,” he added.

McEntee also sees AI as driving revenue momentum in the future, but says most clients still need to strengthen their core infrastructure before realising its value.

“Secure managed services are necessary for everybody,” he says.

“If you want to leverage your data and invest in AI you have to get the foundations right.”

Internally, FutureRange is exploring how AI can improve efficiency in areas such as finance, sales and operations while maintaining a strong focus on human-led customer engagement.

Headcount evolution and customer base

The company’s workforce has expanded rapidly over the past year, rising from fewer than 30 employees to around 70.

“About 60 per cent of that was acquired and the other 40 per cent were new hires.”

In addition to the buyout of DigitalWell’s managed IT services unit, which brought 18 engineers to the team, the acquisition of EOS Systems added just under ten staff to the firm’s team.

FutureRange is now targeting up to 50 additional roles over the next 24 months to support its five-year plans.

“Based on our projections, we need that level of staffing to support the business we intend to grow.

“In terms of roles, it’s across the entire business, sales, finance, engineering, consultants, project management; across everything.”

In terms of leadership, the company recently promoted Eoin Kiersey to CTO, who took over from Michael Rooney.

Rooney previously served as the firm’s MD before McEntee took over in 2022.

Within the next couple of months, the organisation intends to appoint a head of AI.

McEntee also tells CRN that retaining senior execs from acquired businesses is important to maintain continuity and is a key part of FutureRange’s integration approach.

“It’s really important that leaders are retained,” he says.

“We only want to grow based on what they’ve built.”

FutureRange currently serves around 700 customers across sectors such as agri-food, financial services and government.

Moving forward, the company intends to increase its focus on SMEs.

“Our ambition is to move into larger businesses within the SME space.

“We want to specialise in the solutions we’ve created and be known as the leading provider of secure managed services.”