Sunderland’s Cellular Solutions bought by Merseyside’s Communications Plus

A North East communications and business systems firm has a new owner.

Cellular Solutions has been acquired by Merseyside’s Communications Plus.

Based in Sunderland, Cellular Solutions was founded by Mike Bowers in 1995 and is part of the O2 Direct Partner network, which offers customers mobile, landline, broadband and software services.

Communications Plus, headquartered in Rainford, near St Helens, employs more than 200 people across 21 locations and was named as O2 Franchise of the Decade in 2018.

As part of the deal, Cellular Solutions’ business software division has transferred to Smith Cooper System Partners, an accredited Sage business partner.

Gary Scouller, Communications Plus’ business development director, said: “Cellular Solutions have built a great business and loyal customer base over the last 26 years.

“Bringing these two businesses together will significantly benefit our customers, partners, stakeholders and employees and I’m really looking forward to working with the team to take it to the next level.”

Referring to the latter deal, Peter Clark, divisional manager of Cellular Solutions Business Systems, said: “Having worked with the Smith Cooper team as partners for several months, it was clear we had a shared ethos and myself and the team are very much looking forward to formally joining the business.”

Chris Smith, Smith Cooper managing director, added: “The acquisition of Cellular Solutions Business Systems is a tremendous development for our Northern region and also our business at large.”

Cellular Solutions’ shareholders were advised by Newcastle-based audit, tax and consulting firm RSM’s mergers and acquisitions and private equity teams on the deal.

Steven Brown, RSM associate director, added: “Cellular Solutions is a longstanding client, and it has been a pleasure to work with Mike and the other shareholders.

“He has built a successful business based on a proactive, personal and problem-solving approach to account management, practices shared by Communications Plus.

“I look forward to seeing the combined business going from strength-to-strength.”

Durham-based Swinburne Maddison provided legal advice to shareholders.