Cybersecurity firm snapped up by fast-growing tech company

Cybersecurity specialists Nowcomm has been bought by a national firm of digital transformation and customer experience experts.

The Derby firm, which is one of only two Cisco Gold, Master Security and Master Collaboration accredited partners in the UK, has been acquired by FourNet, which has bases in Manchester, Burton, Scarborough and London.

Nowcomm was founded 18 years ago by US technology giant Cisco employees Mark Lamont and James Baly, who saw a gap in the market for a consultative-led Cisco business, focused on engineering and technology.

Today, the firm has 34 staff. The purchase of the firm will bring FourNet’s employee headcount to over 200 – and significantly enhance its cybersecurity and network infrastructure offering to customers.

James Baly, director for front office at Nowcomm, said: “This is a merging of like-minded businesses.

“Our companies are both at the top of their game and have a very similar culture and outlook – customers first, high customer retention, technology and engineering innovation, and best-in-class expertise.”

Mark Lamont, who is director for back office at Nowcomm, said: “These are exciting times for the Nowcomm team.

“We have been working with FourNet on various projects in recent months, and it is clear that our thinking and our businesses are very well aligned.

“Together we will serve our customers better and open up a whole new customer base.”

FourNet counts Whitehall departments, local authorities, housing, health, blue-light and utility companies among its growing list of customers and is one of the fastest-growing privately-owned UK tech companies.

Nowcomm is the firm’s third acquisition in recent years.

Richard Pennington, co-founder and chief executive of FourNet, said: “We warmly welcome Nowcomm into the rapidly expanding FourNet family.

“As one of the leading Cisco partners in the UK, they bring with them a wealth of specialist skills and expertise, which will enable us to provide a significantly enhanced cybersecurity, networking and collaboration offering to our customers – from central government to blue light and other critical services.

“With the post-covid convergence of the IT and communications marketplace and the increasing pace of digital transformation, it also provides Nowcomm with access to a broader spectrum of solutions and customers.

“This strategic acquisition, and the ones to follow, will enable us to maintain our position as the partner of choice for public sector and enterprise customers.”

Marketing Derby is set to hold a Bondholder Social event at Nowcomm’s base, in Stanier Way, on Wyvern Business Park, on Thursday 11 May.

For more information visit https://www.marketingderby.co.uk/events/ and to book places e-mail lindsey.hatfield@marketingderby.co.uk.