Pure Data on track to hit 2015 revenue target

Leeds-based VAR sees turnover jump 30 per cent for latest year-end financials as it eyes potential acquisitions

Ambitious VAR/MSP Pure Data Solutions has seen revenue jump 30 per cent for its latest financial year at it edges towards its £20m goal by 2015.

The Farsely-based firm posted turnover of £14.2m for the year ended 31 May, up from £10.9m a year ago, and £4.1m three years ago.

It has also added 200 new customers over the past 12 months including Ann Summers, UCL and Gatwick Airport, boosting its client base to more than 1,000. In addition, the firm has grown its headcount by seven, now standing at 40 full-time staff.

Pure Data plans to further increase headcount by 15 per cent over the coming year. It has also hinted at an acquisition strategy, keeping its eye out for opportunities with firms specialising in areas such as technical, managed, professional services and IT support.

Steve O'Brien (pictured), managing director of Pure Data, said: "We are not just signing up additional customers, but our clients are spending more with us too.

"In addition, we're hiring more senior people now. Recent recruits have included Colin Meakin, for example, who was group sales director at Phoenix IT, who has an outstanding background in areas such as professional services. I brought Colin on board to help us pursue suitable acquisition targets and he has already made a massive positive difference in that respect."

He added that one of the driving forces behind the firm's growth has been its staff incentives.

"It's an old cliché to say people are a company's greatest asset but here that's unquestionably true," O'Brien said. "Our approach is to recruit the best talent available, provide the right working environment, supply training and development where it's needed and reward people as well as possible for delivering excellent performances. By that we mean doing whatever it takes to save our customers time and money on their IT procurement, while demonstrating our core values of honesty, quality and service.

"That's an approach which continues to serve us very well, given that we're maintaining our rapid growth in a difficult and competitive market. I'm very proud of our team and their achievements."