Tech Data acquired by investment fund, goes private
Purchases leads to “additional resources,” says CEO Hume
Distributors - Jasper Hart
November 15, 2019
Peter Jones takes Data Select CEO role, with no changes to staff numbers
Westcoast bought Data Select to get its hands on the company’s Samsung accounts.
This was confirmed by Westcoast group financial director Sunil Madhani, who cited “huge opportunities in Samsung phones” as the reason for the takeover of the Marlow-based distributor.
The deal, done last month according to Companies House documents, quickly followed the departure of Data Select CEO Fergal Donovan. Donovan’s position is still given as Data Select CEO on his LinkedIn profile.
Madhani confirmed that Westcoast was now a 100 per cent shareholder of Data Select after acquiring it for an undisclosed amount, with Data Select founder and chairman Peter Jones also now its CEO.
“There is a huge opportunity with Samsung mobiles,” Madhani told Mobile News. “Peter has been the chairman of Data Select since it was founded; he has passion for the business and he felt he had a lot to offer, so he has agreed to be the CEO.
“Data Select is a niche player. We like its relationships with suppliers and it has a different offering that complements Westcoast, which is something we hope to capitalise on. Its share of the Samsung business is down to its focus, and that’s an attraction for us.”
There have been no changes to Data Select’s day-to-day operations and its staff numbers remain the same. Staff will also continue to work at the firm’s Marlow offices, despite Companies House listing Data Select’s address as Westcoast’s Reading headquarters.
Madhani added that Westcoast was giving Data Select the freedom “to have its head down and get on with it”.
Neither Peter Jones nor Samsung could be reached for comment.
