North is the name of a new company that reports a £30m-plus forward order book since the Covid-19 began. Acquired and merged together by investment fund Aliter Capital are Glasgow-based Boston Networks, Wales-based Pinacl and Pinacl GDA, North Shields and Birmingham-based 2020 Vision Systems and London-based PEL Services. The firm says it has made appointments and will be recruiting further to increase its 250 headcount. It aims to make £100m turnover in the next three years.
Among recent project wins the firm reports are:
– A four-year contract with Hammersmith & Fulham Council worth £4m-plus; North was appointed to relocate the council’s safety and security command and control facility, while future-proofing its CCTV and infrastructure estate of over 1900 cameras.
– Several Government and other public sector projects totalling £18m, which are confidential under NDAs.
– The creation of North gives birth to a collaborative business which offers a unique breadth and depth of expertise across the Internet of Things (IoT), networking and connectivity, and safety and security.
– Via Boston, North is running the £6m IoT Scotland network, part funded by the Scottish Government. An early target of the new company will be other UK councils aiming to roll out similar networks.
North’s Group Executive Chairman is Rob Bardwell, pictured, former Chief Executive of Pinacl. He said: “This remarkable year has seen a shift in the way we all live and work, with working from home now a reality for many now and into the future. Technology and network solutions have never been more pertinent for companies and we know they are now high up on the board agenda of every organisation.”
“While most sectors have experienced a heavy burden from Covid restrictions, the tech industry is well placed for a steady stream of business and we will be the gold star option.”
North’s Group Executive Director Scott McEwan is former Chief Executive of Boston Networks. He said: “Throughout the pandemic all of our constituent companies have bucked the trend by securing major contract wins which have added to our growth trajectory and it’s a very exciting time for North to be born.”
“In recent years we’ve gone from strength to strength, and through bringing each of the group’s companies together we have a unique offering and expertise within the business to tackle the challenges of our customers across the UK and globally.”
“Covid-19 has put network infrastructure and the safety and security of people, buildings and assets at the top of the agenda for both private sector companies and the public sector as they require robust and secure systems at the heart of their organisations during the pandemic and in the future.”.
