O2 Daisy, the new B2B telecoms powerhouse created by the merger of Virgin Media O2 Business and Daisy Group, launched on Monday with a promise to provide the technology to ‘make every business better’.
The new company will be the country’s second largest small and medium-sized business solutions provider.
With around £1.4 billion in annual pro forma revenues and a customer base spanning hundreds of thousands of SMEs, large enterprises, public sector bodies, and indirect partners, O2 Daisy is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital-first connectivity and managed IT services.
The company will offer a comprehensive product portfolio that includes data and WiFi solutions, modern workplace tools, 5G Private Networks, cloud-based services, cybersecurity offerings and O2 Motion movement insights.
Daisy-Virgin Media O2 B2B deal creates £1.4bn revenue company
The company, which is fully consolidated by Virgin Media O2 with a 70/30 ownership structure, will be led by Matthew Riley as chairman and Jo Bertram as CEO.
Details of the merger were first released in May and Riley said: “This is an exciting day for O2 Daisy, as we officially launch and bring together two highly successful companies into one powerhouse team. In a fast-changing world, growth is inextricably linked to the ability to access world-class IT and communications infrastructure.
“Driven by the entrepreneurial spirit we’re known for, O2 Daisy will revolutionise the telecommunications and IT landscape, by creating connectivity offerings fit for UK businesses of all sizes – underpinning their own growth stories.”
Speaking at the launch of the new company, Jo Bertram, CEO of O2 Daisy, said: “Today we start on our mission to shake up the market and provide the technology needed to make every business better.
“With the launch of our new standalone company, we’re putting our focus on what really matters – helping businesses of all sizes connect and grow.
“By bringing together two experienced teams and supercharging them with scaled networks, agile systems and comprehensive products, we’re ready to deliver exceptional outcomes for our customers.”
Now operating as one team, the business has bases across the country – including hubs in Nelson, Sheffield, Manchester, London, Reading, Bournemouth and beyond – to serve customers wherever they may be.
The united company brings together the large customer base and scaled fixed and mobile networks of Virgin Media O2 with the agile platforms, broad product sets and deep B2B expertise of Daisy Group.
The new entity will continue to serve customers under their existing brands during the integration phase, with further brand and operational updates expected in the coming months.
The newly formed executive leadership team has been drawn from both organisations and includes: Paul Milton, chief financial officer; Dave McGinn, CEO, small and medium enterprise; Jo Watts, chief operating officer of large enterprise and public sector; Paul Edwards, chief technology and information officer; Lizz Poltawski, chief strategy and transformation officer; Alison Bawn, chief people officer; and Nigel Smith, general counsel.
Riley was 26 when he started Daisy back in 2001. During the next 24 years, he floated the business; bought it back; completed 78 acquisitions; and sold six businesses.