Scott Ritchie has bought the Northern Irish Vodafone Platinum Partner and plans to double staff numbers to 70 over next year
Vodafone Platinum Partner Connect Telecom has been sold to telecoms investor and former BT director Scott Ritchie in a “multi-million pound” deal, it has announced.
The Belfast-based dealer currently manages around 15,000 connections and is Vodafone’s only Platinum Partner based in Northern Ireland. Ritchie said he plans to double staff numbers to over 70 within the next year.
Connect Tele was set up by Robin and Matthew Brown in 2007. Ritchie confirmed that both Browns will remain with the company for the immediate future.
Ritchie, who has been an executive director in Connect Telecom for the past 18 months, said: “Our customers can expect the same team delivering a complete telecoms solution through our Platinum Partnership with Vodafone. To that end I am delighted that Robin and Matthew have agreed to remain within the business.
“Under their direction the company has witnessed growth of 40 per cent year-on-year and have been recognised with industry awards and plaudits. Robin and Matthew will play a critical role as we build on that success.
“Innovation in business communications has always been at the core of Connect Telecom and the next 12 months will witness our team expand considerably through acquisitions and the introduction of pioneering new services.”
The investment has been part funded by Dankse Bank. It follows recent investments from Connect Telecom that include buying a 49 per cent stake in cloud solutions firm Bee VM Technology.
Connect Telecom founder Matthew Brown said: “We’ve known Scott for some time and are looking forward to working closely with him as he oversees the next chapter in the evolution of Connect Telecom.”