Ergo founder Bellamy bows out

Neil Bellamy exits Nottingham-based system builder 25 years after setting it up and 16 months after sale to VIP

The co-founder of one of the UK's longest-standing PC builders, Ergo Computing, has left the business after 25 years, CRN has learned.

After growing Nottingham-based Ergo to a £15m-turnover firm and selling it to VIP Computer Centre in 2014, Neil Bellamy is moving on to "seek new business challenges" after a quarter of a century.

His last day was yesterday.

VIP acquired education and public sector specialist Ergo for a maximum consideration of £1.3m in January 2014, of which £270,000 was deferred.

In VIP's 2014 annual results, Ergo posted an operating loss of £0.5m on "disappointing" sales of £2.7m during the six months it contributed to the numbers. But, following some teething problems associated with moving support and manufacturing functions to its Warrington HQ, VIP told us in December the brand is firing again and is on course to sell 18,000 PCs, notebooks and tablets this fiscal year.

In a statement to CRN, Bellamy (pictured), said: "It's been a wonderful business to own and work in, alongside our team of talented individuals. I will now be seeking a new business challenge."

Jatti Sahni, chairman of VIP, added: "We thank Neil for his hard work in handing over Ergo and we are looking forward to working closely with the customers, staff and other stakeholders as we develop the business through its next, exciting growth phase".

Bellamy set up Ergo in 1990 with business partner Paul Madden, who left the firm upon its sale to VIP. Bellamy remained on as managing director.