Advised Control Circle, a leading UK-based provider of complex managed hosting and cloud-based services, on its sale to Alternative Networks 
– Control Circle is a UK-based provider of complex managed hosting and cloud-based services
– Designs, deploys and manages mission critical IT services through a broad portfolio of services including managed hosting, managed applications and cloud & virtualization services
– c.60 customers including large enterprises (Chubb Insurance, KPMG, RR Donnelley and Saga) and high profile on-line businesses (Monitise, Rightmove, and Wiggle)
– Founded in 2001 and backed by SEP in 2010
– Alternative Networks designs, implements and manages communications and technology infrastructure for private and public sector businesses throughout the UK
– Provides voice, mobile, unified communications & collaboration, infrastructure solutions, cloud computing and virtualization, data and security services to over 5,000 customers
– Alternative Networks is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange
– Control Circle offers the delivery of complex managed hosting, cloud and datacentre services, which is an increasing requisite for Alternative Networks’ existing and targeted UK enterprise clients
– Control Circle’s skills set will complement and bolster Alternative Networks’ existing services in networking and datacentre, such that the enlarged group will now have a comprehensive and compelling data and IT services portfolio including managed and cloud based services, such as managed hosting, datacentre virtualisation and application management
– Alternative Networks and Control Circle have both adopted asset light and customer rich strategies, dedicated to offering flexible data and communications services with a focus on premium service and technical excellence
– Control Circle’s customers are highly complementary with Alternative Networks’ and have a higher penetration in similar industry verticals allowing for significant cross selling opportunities
– Control Circle had received an inbound expression of interest that triggered the process, and Arma was engaged to assist
– Arma contacted the most qualified buyers to determine interest in the business
– In parallel, Arma worked extensively with management to articulate the company’s growth strategy and corresponding financial plan
– Alternative Networks then emerged as the most attractive bidder for the business and Arma, together with the management team, consequently worked towards a very tight and compact timeline to complete the deal
– Overall, Arma Partners assisted the management and owners of Control Circle to realise their strategic objectives, drawing on Arma’s extensive experience in the European hosting space and global cross-border relationships with the most qualified buyers, including Alternative Networks