North’s journey
Under Aliter’s ownership, North became a highly technical integrated technology specialist, delivering end-to-end networking and IoT application design, implementation, support and managed services throughout the UK. The business grew to employ 265 people, generating annual revenues of £45m, serving blue chip customers in the public service, enterprise, financial services, defence and justice sectors.

 

Planning to build the business
Aliter worked closely with the management team at North, developing a strategy to;

• drive growth through a blend of organic expansion and acquisitions.

• broaden the range of services and geographic areas covered. 

• focus on becoming a driver of innovation, leading the industry in the adoption of emerging technologies

 

Growing through acquisition
North’s journey started in 2018 with Aliter’s acquisition of Glasgow based Boston Networks, an integrated technologies business, working across IT network infrastructure, with expertise in fire, security and smart building systems. Aliter then backed a series of four further acquisitions, across England and Wales, carefully targeted to enhance North’s service offering and its coverage of the UK. The acquisitions added;

• specialist expertise in sound, life safety, security and audio visual solutions

• security services integration, with a focus on high end converged IP connectivity, security and video surveillance

• design and management of ICT infrastructure, with particular capabilities in IoT, smart buildings and cities and major fibre optic installations.

 

Supporting organic growth
Describing Aliter’s support for the operational side of the business, Scott McEwan, Chief Operating Officer, North says, “Aliter brought a real rigour around the numbers and the financial management of our projects and support contracts. They understand the business of projects, how they evolve and impact on service provision. 

 

Their operational expertise was very much aligned with the way we deliver our service and helped bolster our overall capabilities. Aliter have years of experience from both sides of the table, and this helped the partnership and our overall strategic direction. They also supported with strategic commercial advice and the management of risk throughout the business”.  

 

Outstanding Performance
During Aliter’s ownership of North, the business grew revenues by 427%, workforce numbers by 280% and increased EBITDA by 480%.

 

Reflections from the COO
On the overall experience of working with Aliter, Scott McEwan says, “Right across the whole team, Aliter has a very straight talking style and they give you the feeling they will be around for the long haul. Aliter offers significant operational knowledge and experience, combined with great financial understanding and they have a real ability to cut to the chase and not waste time.”

 

Realised Investment
Aliter realised its investment in North when the sale of the business to Livingbridge was agreed in 2021.