TalkTalk grabs northern star Executel

More comms M&A as carrier splashes the cash on Gateshead-based HP and Mitel partner

Consolidation in the B2B comms space shows no sign of slowing down, as TalkTalk Telecoms Group snaps up VAR and comms service provider Executel for an undisclosed amount.

The Gateshead-based reseller, which partners with vendors such as Microsoft, HP, Mitel and Brocade, will slot into the carrier's TalkTalk Business Division (formerly Opal). It is forecast to boost its new owner's top line by about £6.5m this fiscal year.

TalkTalk Business chief executive Paul Lawton said: "Executel is a long-term and valued partner of TalkTalk Business. Strategically, they fit extremely well with our existing operations and give us a much stronger position in the north east of England. The deal underlines our ambition to grow our data capabilities while strengthening our sales and engineering operations."