Serving the Teesside Business Community | 61
Leadership – the razorblue directors (left
to right) David Raper, Mark Wilkinson,
Rachel Atkinson, Jonathan Anderson
and Dan Kitchen.
IT firm expands
O
ne of the region’s leading IT firms
has announced a major expansion
with the acquisition of another
company.
razorblue, which has already expanded its
Tees offices at Wynyard Park, has revealed
its move to the North-West region following
the acquisition of the J-Media IT Managed
Services business from Manchester-based
CMAP Group for an undisclosed sum.
Founded in 2006 by CEO Dan Kitchen,
razorblue has grown from just two
employees to over 80.
The expansion into the North-West of
England comes as part of razorblue’s vision
to be the most trusted managed service
provider in the SME marketplace.
Kitchen said: “We’re excited to have
expanded our business into Manchester.
Our roots are in the North of England, and
with our client base located throughout the
UK, it makes sense to acquire a business
that is already doing what we do, but in a
different geographic location.
“We’ve grown our team of trusted
experts through this acquisition and we’re
confident that this addition to the group
will enable us to not only continue to serve
the existing clients of both razorblue and
J-Media IT Managed Services, but also new
businesses across the country.”
with North-West acquisition
The acquisition comes at an exciting
time, following a 38% increase in turnover
in 2018.
With offices in Catterick, Wynyard, Leeds,
London and now Manchester, razorblue
provide managed IT services, cloud,
connectivity and business software for a
wide range of SMEs, business parks and
public sector organisations throughout the
UK.
With offices in Catterick,
Wynyard, Leeds, London
and now Manchester,
razorblue provide managed
IT services, cloud,
connectivity and business
software for a wide range
of SMEs, business parks and
public sector organisations
throughout the UK.
J-Media IT Managed Services clients will
also be able to benefit from other products
and services in razorblue’s portfolio
including connectivity, cloud and telecoms
solutions.
Previously owned by CMAP Group, the
acquisition of J-Media IT Managed Services
comes following the search for a company
which aligns with the same ethos in terms
of culture, attitude and providing a great
service to clients.
CMAP group CEO Dave Graham said:
“I’m really pleased that the acquisition by
razorblue fits with our aspirations for the
future of J-Media IT Managed Services.
“Not only will there now be a more
extensive range of opportunities in terms of
career progression for the technical team,
razorblue also align with our view on how
clients should be served.
“With razorblue’s new team in the North-
West, I am confident that the acquisition
will be a perfect blend of technical
synergies.”
The acquisition has resulted in no change
to razorblue’s board, with all five directors
welcoming the existing J-Media IT Managed
Services team into razorblue’s and ensuring
existing clients’ contracts are fulfilled.
Newcastle-based Mincoffs Solicitors
advised razorblue on the acquisition.
Chris Hughes, associate solicitor in the
corporate team that led the transaction,
said: “We were delighted to advise on the
acquisition of J-Media IT Managed Services
and wish Dan and the team the best of luck
with their future growth strategy.”
razorblue intends to relocate to larger
Manchester offices in the near future to
accommodate future growth.