A Hampshire IT provider has acquired a ‘complementary’ firm in the East Midlands in a strategic move designed to boost nationwide growth plans. Ringwood-headquartered entrustIT has made Bedford’s DWM Technical Solutions its fifth wholly owned subsidiary.

The acquisition expands entrustIT’s geographic footprint northwards and comes as the managed service provider prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary since incorporation.

The agreement was negotiated with legal advice and due diligence from Ellis Jones Solicitors’ Business Services and Commercial Property teams.

The share purchase will see DWM’s husband and wife owners Robert and Laura Munday remain in the short term to support the transition process. Robert will stay on for longer but reduce his involvement over time.

DWM will continue to trade under its existing name with co-branding for IT services. entrustIT will take over DWM’s premises lease in Bedford with the whole DWM team remaining in place, creating a combined organisation of more than 75.

Group Chief Executive Jeff Dodd, who founded entrustIT in December 2006 with his brother Matthew, said:

“DWM is a natural fit with our business, strengthening our capabilities in IP integration. This partnership expands our reach in the UK and brings our combined team to over 75 people, enabling us to deliver even greater value to clients.”

entrustIT provides transformation, operations, cyber security and ‘smart buildings’ services to clients with typically complex IT requirements and hundreds of staff, including at multiple sites.

Core sectors include retail, leisure, manufacturing and law.

entrustIT has been a long-standing client of Ellis Jones, a law firm which also has an office in Ringwood alongside bases in Dorset and London.

Neil Cook, Partner, Solicitor and Head of Business Services at Ellis Jones, advised on the deal along with solicitor colleagues Clementine Saulnier and Howard Hasan. Neil said:

“We carried out extensive due diligence and negotiated a robust share purchase agreement which provided our client with significant protections."

“The outcome is a deal that supports entrustIT’s growth strategy and positions it well for the future by achieving substantial synergies with its new subsidiary.”

For more information on Ellis Jones’ Business Services, visit here.