Lloyds Banking Group’s private equity investor, LDC has made a substantial investment in Kick ICT, Scotland’s largest independent IT managed service provider. The company aims to accelerate its expansion across the UK. BGF, a growth capital investor, which has supported the company since 2021, will now exit the business.
Kick ICT, located in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, provides IT managed, communications, and digital transformation services to over 1,000 customers across a wide range of sectors. The company, with over 170 employees, specializes in business and finance solutions from Microsoft and Infor, alongside modern infrastructure, cloud, and IT support. Since its inception in 2015, Kick ICT has grown rapidly over the last eight years by executing an ambitious acquisitive growth strategy. In November 2023, it made its ninth acquisition, Dundee-based C2 Software Limited, to expand its specialist Microsoft Dynamics offering to customers across the UK.
LDC’s investment and support will enable Kick ICT to accelerate its growth not only in Scotland but also in the North of England through further acquisitions targeting complementary businesses. The existing management team, led by CEO Tom O’Hara and group sales director Alan Turnbull, in addition to chairman Geoff Neville, will be supported by LDC in their growth journey.
According to O’Hara, “The team at LDC have a great deal of hands-on experience in helping businesses like ours grow through acquisition, making them the perfect partner as we expand our presence in Scotland and across the UK.“
Lee Donaldson, investment director at LDC in Scotland, commented, “Tom and Alan are committed and ambitious founders, and we’re excited to support them, alongside the rest of the management team, as they continue their impressive run of acquisitions to drive growth and expand the business outside Scotland.”
Kick ICT’s exceptional growth over the last few years has continued to invest in its technology and people and brought a number of innovative companies into the group to expand its range of services and levels of expertise. The rapid pace of digitalization across the economy means dynamic businesses like Kick ICT will be at the forefront of growth across the UK ICT sector in the years ahead.
Overall, with LDC’s support, Kick ICT is all set to scale new heights, expand its services and expertise, and lead the growth journey in the UK ICT sector.
