Datatechniques Ltd

Meridian advised the shareholders of Data Techniques Limited, as part of Livingbridge's contemporaneous purchase of North and Data Techniques.

Formed in 1988 Data Techniques has developed and evolved its service portfolio to become a market leader in the provision of physical connectivity, infrastructure, and professional support services. Working across a wide range of vertical markets including telecommunications, defence, Justice, data centre, enterprise, banking, retail, and sports entertainment sectors, Data Techniques has become partner of choice to an enviable list of blue-chip organisations, many of whom list as long-standing clients.

From inception the company focused on the design and installation of fibre optic cabling. Fast forward 33 years and many thousands of installations later and this requirement is more essential than ever with data being termed as the fourth utility. Its therefore not surprising that they’ve leveraged this experience and this service remains a central part of their delivery capability.

Over the past three decades service provision has continued to evolve and now includes, Wi-Fi, civil engineering, technical migration, managed services, electrical, design and consultancy and reactive maintenance to fulfil the ever-changing needs of their clients.

Nick Crosby, Managing Director at Data Techniques commented, “Engaging Meridian as our advisors proved to be a great decision and was of paramount importance to the success of our business sale. From the outset, Philip, Darren, and Team gave clear, professional advice and quickly became an embedded part of our business to help us navigate our journey from start to finish. Their extensive knowledge and contact base were both very impressive and incredibly valuable throughout the negotiations. I have no hesitation in recommending Meridian to anyone looking to sell or restructure a business; rest assured you’re in very safe hands!”

Philip Mettam, Director at Meridian, who led the transaction commented, “The contemporaneous acquisition of both North Group and Data Techniques by Livingbridge added additional complexities to the normal sale process, but Livingbridge and their advisers ran a concise and forthright process within a tight timeframe to ensure that all the stakeholders’ requirements were accommodated. Data Techniques have delivered market leading growth across almost every metric during a period of unprecedented disruption and uncertainty, maintaining an exceptional level of customer service. The acquisition creates an enlarged group with exceptional depth of technical expertise, products and services and an excellent platform on which to build.”

With an ambitious growth strategy to consolidate their position as a market leader, the acquisition will enable North to strengthen their service lines, such as IoT and 5G within critical and complex environments across new geographies and markets, and to reinforce their presence in the South East. Similarly, joining North, a business at the forefront of the smart integrated technologies market, will enable Data Techniques to build on the success they have achieved to date, and to continue to deliver the high performing and innovative solutions and services their clients expect.

Professional advisers involved included tax specialists DSA and regional law firm Herrington Carmichael.