Beech Tree backed BCN Group strengthens its Microsoft capabilities with the acquisition of data analytics and process automation specialist Cloud2

6^th May 2021 – BCN Group, the managed IT, cloud and digital transformation specialist, has expanded its data analytics and process automation capabilities with the acquisition of Cloud2.

Bradford-based Cloud2 is at the forefront of developing solutions underpinned by the Microsoft Power Platform to create real time visualisations solving complex data and compliance issues for Public Sector and Healthcare organisations across the UK.

The Microsoft Gold Accreditations the business brings will take BCN Group’s total number of Gold Accreditations to 10, further solidifying BCN as a top-tier Microsoft partner.

Cloud2’s Healthcare and Public Sector offerings will also further enhance BCN Group’s capabilities across these areas, with BCN Group’s current partner accreditations for the NHS’ Health and Social Care IT Network (HSCN) and G-Cloud making the combined service offering market leading. This acquisition means that BCN Group can provide its clients with a complete and all-encompassing data analytics and workflow solutions service providing real-time displays of data and trends that will allow decision makers to plan more accurately  for future events.

The acquisition will further complement BCN Group’s existing Cloud product and managed service offering, especially in the areas of PowerApps, Power BI data analytics and dashboard reporting.

Simon Kelf, CEO of BCN Group, said:

“The acquisition of Cloud2 allows us to provide existing and new clients with a complete and comprehensive suite of on premise and cloud solutions delivered by skilled and experienced experts. It not only complements our existing product and service offering but means we can take our combined capability to the next level and further establish BCN as key service provider across the Public Sector and healthcare arena. I am delighted to welcome Cloud2 to the BCN family, and to work alongside its incredible team as we seamlessly merge its products, services and processes into the wider BCN Group.”

Taran Sohal at Cloud2, said:

“We have achieved great things since launching Cloud2 in 2008 and have established the business as a leader in the data analytics industry.  This has only been possible because of the highly skilled and incredibly talented team of people that are Cloud2, and I would like to thank them for helping the business become what it is today.  I’m incredibly excited by about the acquisition and what it will mean to the Cloud 2 team and our clients as we bring the combined capability of the two businesses together to continue to deliver exceptional services and outcomes to our clients.”.

ENDS

Editor’s notes:

About BCN Group:

BCN Group is an IT, cloud and digital transformation  business co-founded by Simon Kelf and Matt Smith in 2009. The company’s core philosophy is to provide leading technology from global providers with comprehensive local support. BCN is based over three offices: Manchester, Leeds and Runcorn and supports over 1,000 companies based in the North of England.

Over 12 years the company has developed extensive expertise across “on-premise” IT solutions, has built its own BCN cloud infrastructure, offers Microsoft’s Office 365 and Azure platform solutions with development capabilities across the Microsoft product suite. Business intelligence firm Megabyte gave BCN Group an “Emerging Star Award” in 2018.

To support BCN’s expansion strategy Beech Tree Private Equity invested in the company in 2018, and in April 2019 NatWest made significant acquisition banking facilities available. BCN is actively looking for further acquisitions.

BCN Group were advised by DLA Piper for legal work and due diligence (James Kerrigan and Chris Wilson) and DSW for financial due diligence (Ed Brentnall)