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Charles Russell Speechlys advises Zenzero on the acquisition of OnTech

Charles Russell Speechlys has advised Zenzero, a leading managed services provider (MSP), in acquiring OnTech, a South African IT consultancy based in Port Elizabeth, serving high quality UK clients with a financial services, property, and care focus. 

Zenzero is one of the fastest growing service providers in the UK, supporting over 10,000 users across industries such as education, financial services and health and elderly care. Ontech is the third acquisition by Zenzero over the last 18 months, following the successful acquisition and subsequent full integration of Backbone and Dynamic Edge. This deal marks part of Zenzero’s ongoing strategy of selectively investing in managed service providers and technology service providers.

Michael Bateman, CEO said: “This is a huge international growth opportunity for our business, as Ontech’s customers will now get to benefit from UK wide coverage and additional capabilities.

 “Our goal has always been to select partnerships that align with our corporate values and mission to bring to market the highest performing devices and make them available to everyone. We want to thank Mark, Ashwin and the wider team for their continued support and expert legal insight.”

Corporate Partner, Mark Howard commented: “It has been a privilege to work with Michael and his team on this significant international acquisition for Zenzero. We look forward to the exciting opportunities this partnership will bring, as Zenzero and OnTech integrate its teams to share knowledge, skills, and experience to become a world class managed service provider.”

The team was led by Corporate Partner, Mark Howard, supported by Corporate Senior Associate, Ashwin Pillay, Corporate Associate James Scott and Solicitor Apprentice, Jess Dawkins. The team also included Becky Lawton (Employment), Robert Birchall and Tessa Newman (Tax).

About Zenzero

Zenzero, a leading Managed Services supporting over 10,000 users across industries such as education, financial services and health and elderly care. Zenzero provides a broad array of IT managed and professional services that can be split into four distinct categories: IT Services (including support, modern workplace and unified comms); Platforms, which includes its own private Cloud and Azure public Cloud services; Data and Digital Engineering Services (which includes Microsoft Power BI, Development and DevOps services); and Cyber Security (including a SOC and security engineering services). Recently awarded both the most innovative company in the midlands and a top 50 UK MSP, which is a credit to their team of 180 IT professionals.

About Ontech

Ontech, founded in Port Elizabeth by Steve Smith discovered a gap in the UK market for highly specialised, consultancy-led IT solutions for property, finance, and care businesses. Smith previously worked as the IT director for Capital & Regional. Ontech is proud of its organic growth through customer referrals and has a strong record of excellent service delivery.

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