Tom Kelly pops up at Livingstone

Former Logicalis boss is IT and managed services sector adviser for M&A firm

Channel stalwart Tom Kelly has joined M&A and debt advisory firm Livingstone as an IT and managed services sector adviser.

His role will be to support Livingstone in the development of its rapidly growing presence in the sector.

Kelly (pictured) left Logicalis at the start of the year, after more than eight years at the helm. During his time in charge, the VAR grew from a £40m operation into one boasting yearly sales of almost £200m.

Tom Phipps, director at Livingstone London said: “Livingstone’s success is down to our ability to recognise what makes our clients’ businesses desirable and valuable and then access senior decision-makers across the industry. Tom’s considerable operational experience and exceptional network enhances our ability to deliver this to clients.”

Kelly said: "Working at Logicalis was a terrific experience and I believe we have a good story to tell, however after 10 years I’m now looking to roll my sleeves up and work with a number of smaller companies and PE investments where the challenges are different. Livingstone has good people and a great reputation in the market which together I believe we can strengthen further.

"Livingstone’s approach is to deliver well informed operational experience alongside their own corporate finance expertise in order to generate enhanced value for shareholders. Like me, Livingstone is in this for the long-term and is happy to work with clients for six months or five years.”

One of the most recent channel transactions Livingstone was involved in was the Dunedin-backed £43m buy-out of Trustmarque.