IT companies Firstnet and Select Data Centres announce merger

Firstnet and Manchester-based Select Data Centres have formed a new business under the name of Firstnet Group, which will be headquartered at Firstnet’s base in Leeds, which includes a 20,000 sq ft data centre.

The deal combines Select Data Centres’ specialist expertise in data centre design and construction with Firstnet’s expertise in connectivity, networks, managed IT, cloud platforms, system co-location and disaster recovery.

Its data centre and workplace recovery facility designed and built by Select. The site is jointly owned by Select’s Stephen Leahy and Firstnet directors, David Cusworth and Angie Cusworth.

Leahy was chief executive at Select and will fulfil the same role at Firstnet Group, bringing 30 years’ experience to the role. He commented: “My eagerness to proceed with this merger was underpinned by the outstanding credentials and work ethic of the Firstnet professionals. They have a particularly impressive management team led by David and Angie.

“The deal represents a substantial investment in the city’s IT sector and we will continue to invest in our Leeds estate, which includes the region’s only purpose-built data centre.

He added: “It already offers a capacity of over 400 cabinets for co-location, but we intend to increase that capacity as part of our ongoing expansion.

“I believe that Firstnet Group’s combination of resources and skillsets will deliver a service level which is unprecedented in Yorkshire and the wider region.”

Mr Cusworth said: “This merger represents a positive development for our customers and a massive opportunity for our employees.

“It also positions the company for its next phase of growth in the UK data centre and IT sector. Firstnet has recently secured some major national clients in addition to a rapidly growing core market of SMEs and resellers.

“We plan to double our sales staff by the end of 2017 and create 100 new jobs over the next 18 months.”