Business UK ISP and IT Provider Communicate Acquires Blaze Networks

Business broadband, security and managed IT provider Communicate, which is backed by private equity investor Rockpool Investments, has today announced their fifth acquisition by gobbling up Blaze Networks – a similar security-focused MSP with expertise in SD-WAN and advanced networking solutions.

The move, which puts Communicate on track to grow its turnover from £6m in June 2024 (i.e. the time of Rockpool’s investment) to a projected £17 million in 2025, is intended to enhance the provider’s ability to deliver a fully integrated suite of services – including SD-WAN, SASE, cloud, backup, and disaster recovery.

Under the agreement, Macclesfield-based Blaze Networks will continue to operate under their current MD, Ben Brassington. Rockpool is also said to have “provided additional funding to support the acquisition“, with investment director Tom Coey and investment manager Toby Hurdle leading the transaction.

Tony Snaith, CEO of Communicate Technology, said:

“Bringing Blaze Networks into the Communicate group significantly strengthens our ability to offer cutting-edge, secure IT solutions. Their expertise in SD-WAN and SASE complements our existing capabilities, allowing us to provide businesses with seamless, scalable, and highly secure network architectures. This acquisition is not only about expanding our service offering – it’s about creating real value for customers and fostering professional growth for our team as we continue to scale.”

Ben Brassington, MD of Blaze Networks, added:

“Joining Communicate presents a fantastic opportunity for Blaze Networks to accelerate its growth while continuing to deliver the high-quality solutions our customers rely on. By integrating with Communicate, we can offer an even more comprehensive service, while also providing our team with exciting new career development opportunities. Having re-invested in the group, I am fully committed to this next phase of expansion.”

Communicate and Rockpool were advised on the deal by Cooper Parry (financial and tax), Roxburgh Milkins (legal) and Taylor Wessing (legal). Blaze Networks was advised by KBS Corporate Finance (M&A), K3 Law (legal) and K3 Advantage (tax).