Double swoop gives Claranet second wind

MSP acquires Linux IT and Techgate, boosting revenues to £150m

A double acquisition swoop by Claranet will bolster the managed service provider's IT services prowess and thrust its turnover to £150m.

Funded through debt and supported by its financial backers including RBS, the managed services provider has simultaneously grabbed business continuity specialist Techgate and Linux specialist LinuxIT for an undisclosed sum.

The dual conquest will add a combined £7.5m in revenues, nearly 50 staff and 400 customers to Claranet's operations.

Founded in 2001, business continuity and disaster recovery specialist Techgate operates two datacentres, employs 27 staff and boasts more than 200 customers including BLM and Capita. Its revenues hit £4.9m last year.

LinuxIT, which specialises in professional and managed services for Linux-based applications, employs 20 staff and work with 200 customers including ITV and Hopkins Architects. The Bristol-based firm turned over £2.6m last year.

The newly enlarged group will boast 850 employees, annual sales of £150m and 5,000 customers across the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal.

"It is our ambition to continue to grow in our existing six markets organically and by acquisition, and in acquiring Techgate and LinuxIT we have taken another step forward in terms of our growth and capabilities, expanding our reach into new territories in the IT services sector," said Charles Nasser, chief executive and founder of the Claranet Group.