Focus Group completes acquisition of Southwest Communications

Focus Group the UK’s fastest growing provider of business communications and technology solutions, is pleased to announce it has completed the acquisition of swcomms.

swcomms, based in the southwest region, has been sold to create more opportunities for its customers and employees in the expanding ICT market. This opportunity arose from the retirement of the current chairman and CEO, Tony Rowe OBE, from swcomms.

Focus Group and swcomms coming together will provide valuable resource and growth for both companies in the future.

Focus Group has been looking to expand its portfolio of businesses again and swcomms was a perfect fit to accelerate its growth in the southwest of the UK. With its expansion of data centre technologies, just one of the few located in this region this creates vast opportunities for Focus Group and further investments for the future.

The company will continue to operate under its brand name. The existing management team and employees will continue to lead and drive the business forward from their head office in Exeter, after signing another long-term lease. They have already started recruiting new staff through its training academy.

Ralph Gilbert, Co-Founder at Focus Group said: “I’m delighted to welcome swcomms to the Focus Group family. They have built a wonderful business over the past 38 years. With their vast range of solutions, experience in Data Centre Technology, their culture and management team, I’m excited to unite with swcomms to accelerate growth in the Southwest of the UK. I’m thrilled to be able to connect more customers, our people and communities together”.

Brian Lodge, Managing Director said: “The acquisition by Focus Group will coincide with some great opportunities in the market due to a shift in the industry towards clouds connectivity, home working and Openreach’s withdrawal of copper voice and internet services.

There is a perfect fit between the two companies with an amazing synergy in what we do. We will benefit hugely from working with Focus. Together, we will be more competitive and we plan to grow the business significantly in the next few years.

Our staff and customers are at the heart of everything we do, and this is very much mirrored at Focus Group. Delivering a better service is our top priority. Being part of the Focus Group will give us all the wider benefits of a £100 million turnover business while still allowing us to maintain a local and personal service to our customers by utilising the commitment and expertise of our wonderful staff.”

Published 11th February 2021