CAE throws lifebuoy to stricken Mason IT staff

As former boss is sentenced over bribery charges, staff have transferred under TUPE regulations to form new CAE Brighton office

VAR CAE Technology Services (CAE) has unveiled its new Brighton-based office after it agreed to take on all 20 staff from Mason IT.

The staff transferred under TUPE regulations over the summer, but until former Mason IT managing director Wesley Mezzone had been sentenced, CAE were unable to make an official announcement.

An article in Brighton and Hove News revealed that Mezzone was jailed this week for 20 months, after being found guilty of bribery and corruption at Brighton Crown court.

As CRN reported earlier this year, he was charged with running a £46,000 scam with fire service IT network manager John Reynolds between August 2011 and January 2013.

Speaking to CRN, Justin Harling (pictured), managing director of CAE, said the deal forms part of his growth strategy and brings the total number of CAE offices to five, the others being Watford, Bracknell, Oxford and London.

"This deal fits nicely into our growth plans and it has given all the staff concerned a fresh start. We were happy to be able to give them time to settle in before making the announcement and also ensure consistency for customers," he said.

"We were approached by Wes from Mason IT who wanted to put an end to the ambiguity the business was facing," Harling added.

"We are just pleased to be able to look after the staff and end an unsettling period for them and customers. Now everything is done and dusted and we are able to just get on with it."

Harling said the 20 Mason IT staff bring the number of new staff taken on board this year to 50.

"We have had quite a lot going on and we are going through pretty rapid expansion," he said.