ECI-backed IT Lab completes acquisition of Content and Code

ECI-backed IT Lab, the technology services and solution provider behind McLaren F1 sports cars and the British Paralympics Association, has today announced the acquisition of Microsoft 2018 Worldwide Partner of the Year, Content and Code. 

The new combined business has a turnover approaching £60 million, boosting the IT Lab team from 450 to more than 550 employees operating from London, Manchester and Cape Town, serving more than 700 mid-market and enterprise clients.

IT Lab is now a Microsoft Partner capable of delivering a full portfolio of professional and managed services across the core Microsoft technology stack of Office365 and M365; Azure, Dynamics 365 and SharePoint.

Furthermore, IT Lab’s cyber security offering and Content and Code’s Enterprise Mobility and Security capabilities make the combined proposition industry challenging through scale and range of capability.

Clare Barclay, Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft UK, said:

Craig Fellowes, Productivity Sales Director of Microsoft UK, added:

As well as McLaren F1 and the British Paralympics Association, the combined business provides services across the mid-market and enterprise space including clients such as:
Serco, Heathrow, Mott Macdonald, NSPCC, Whitbread Group, Theramex, British Engineering Services, Phaidon and Keolis Amey.

IT Lab Chief Executive, Peter Sweetbaum, described the deal as “transformational” for IT Lab and Content and Code, adding that it would improve on Content and Code’s already industry leading excellence in key Microsoft propositions, including Office 365 and SharePoint, along with IT Lab’s managed, cyber and infrastructure services.

Sweetbaum added, “Content and Code has grown strongly and profitably over the last few years due to their depth and breadth of skills, accreditation and experience. They are regarded exceptionally well by Microsoft and their clients for their distinct expertise in key technologies that companies require for transformation and operating in the future.”

Tim Wallis, founder of Content and Code, added:

“The demand for IT services is growing at a rapid pace and we had been looking to join forces with another organisation for some time to take advantage of the opportunity.

Finding an organisation which could not only help us compete with the bigger providers in the market, but which also shared the same vision, ethos and culture as Content and Code was a challenge until we began talks with IT Lab. It is clear that this new partnership shares all the ambitions and values that we wanted.”

ECI invested in IT Lab in 2016. In May 2017, IT Lab followed this with the acquisition of cyber security specialist, Perspective Risk, making Content and Code the second of a number of planned acquisitions.

IT Lab Chief Executive Peter Sweetbaum, a former Cabinet Office technology advisor, led the transaction alongside Managing Director Geoff Kneen and CFO Andy Insley.

Tim Wallis, founder of Content and Code, takes on the role of Chief Digital Officer of IT Lab and will lead the future relationship with Microsoft.

Content and Code was advised by Oakley Advisory Limited and law firm Charles Russell Speechlys, while IT Lab was advised by law firm Squire Patton Boggs.