Mobile veteran Stiley exits after 27 years
Evolve Telecom’s purchase of The Word see’s the Welsh-based dealer’s founder and CEO exit the industry
Dealers
July 18, 2012
Acquisition increases Evolve’s base to 60,000 customers across nearly 3,000 customers, with The Word continuing to trade under its own branding at present
Evolve Telecom has acquired rival Welsh Vodafone platinum partner The Word for an undisclosed fee.
The purchase adds 15,000 Vodafone connections and 600 customers to Evolve’s base, which now stands at more than 60,000 numbers across almost 3,000 customers.
Evolve Telecom managing director Mark Gordon (pictured) said The Word will continue to trade under its own branding for now, but will review the merits of any potential re-branding in the future.
Gordon will take over from The Word’s managing director Huw Stiley later this month, who will exit the business.
It is the second dealer acquisition from Evolve this year having acquired London-based Vodafone silver partner MPC Romford for an undisclosed fee in May. That deal added 1,500 connections to Evolve’s customer base.
Evolve also acquired Vodafone partner Cambridge Business Solutions (CBS) Communications in July 2010.
Gordon said: “The Word is a good quality business that has made investment into developing fixed line services within its business, which we felt we could benefit from.
“We’ve been very successful with the CBS acquisition in managing that with careful integration into the business. This is a very similar size and scenario to that deal, so we feel we can repeat our successes.
“With the move into the new offices, staff morale is high and combined with the acquisition, has created a terrific atmosphere within the business.”
The Word managing director Huw Stiley said: “This combination of skills and expertise provides a strong platform
to recognise and expand on opportunities that will undoubtedly be of benefit to all our customers.”