SCC acquires Kavanagh

Bracknell-based integrator Kavanagh has been sold to SCC for an undisclosed sum with managing director Rob Campbell standing down immediately.

The negotiations started about a month ago and the deal was signed late last night, building on parent SCH Group's integration businesses.

"The deal forms part of a clear and longstanding strategy to evolve the breadth and depth of SCC's innovative IT consulting services and infrastructure solutions," said SCH chairman and chief executive Sir Peter Rigby in a statement. 

"With customers demanding strategic planning, business alignment and operational development, we have more than doubled our dedicated specialist consultancy resources," he added.

Started in June 1996 by a bunch of former Morse employees, Kavanagh built a solid reputation in the market as one of HP's leading lights in the enterprise space but was hit hard by the recession as bread and butter project work dried up.

Following a tough period it ended its exclusive relationship with HP, restructured making 10% of its workforce redundant and then revealed losses of £1.6m as head honcho Campbell took a controlling stake in the firm of around 55%.

Customers included blue chips including Network Rail, Yorkshire Building Society and the City Index. It employs around 80 staff operating out of offices in Bracknell, the City and Manchester.

Campbell told MicroScope he has left the business but plans to return to the channel in six months to start up a new venture.

"I will be starting a business in six months and am 90% sure it will be in IT. I have a strong interest in IT and my intention is to start something in the near term," he said.

Kavanagh directors Anthony Head, Dave Shackleton and Jeremy Forbes will remain at the firm.