Intercity acquires Centrality to supercharge its Microsoft capabilities

By Intercity

1 minute 51 seconds

Growth

Share:

Quick Read: Managed services leader Intercity has acquired Centrality, one of the UK’s most accredited Microsoft Service Partners. The acquisition transforms Intercity into a £60m turnover company with a 325+ strong team.

Intercity is today announcing its acquisition of Centrality, the next strategic step in their ambitious growth plans. This will significantly expand its Microsoft capabilities and managed service offerings.

Birmingham-based Intercity is a UK leader in managed IT services, cloud, security, and communications, serving over 1,300 customers nationwide.

Bedfordshire-based Centrality is one of the UK’s most accredited Microsoft Service Partners, with more than 25 years of Microsoft experience.

Photo: Christina Pendleton, David Keeling, Charlie Blakemore, Andrew Jackson, Bianca Parker-Beckett, Photo Credits: Intercity

Centrality CEO David Keeling will join Intercity’s board as a Managing Director of a new division focused on leveraging Centrality’s deep expertise in Microsoft’s suite of products and solutions.

Centrality’s 100-strong team will continue to work from the Bedfordshire office as part of a smooth transition plan into the Intercity Group. This will now take the combined team to over 325.

This strategic and targeted acquisition of centrality with its outstanding Microsoft capabilities has been developing over the last 18 months. The new capability expands Intercity’s Microsoft offering, complimenting existing partnerships with vendors such as Virgin Media O2, Vodafone, EE and Check Point.

Intercity Owner & Group CEO Andrew Jackson commented:

“We are thrilled to welcome Centrality to the Intercity Group. Centrality have grown significantly over the last five years and become well-known for their innovative and forward-thinking solutions by taking a Microsoft and cloud-first approach. Our commitment to be the best tech partner to work for and with will only be strengthened with this news. We look forward to welcoming all Centrality colleagues and their complementary expertise as they join the Intercity Group.”

“At its core this deal is about people. Both Intercity and Centrality are not built on any specific IT product but on the huge expertise and relationships within our teams. That’s why I’m so glad Centrality CEO David Keeling is joining us.”

Intercity CEO Charlie Blakemore commented:

"I am delighted to welcome all of the Centrality team to Intercity. Centrality brings a fantastic and complimentary Microsoft capability to the Intercity Group and is a key part of our long-term strategic business growth plan. Together, we now offer an extensive service offering with expertise in Managed IT Services, Cloud, Security and Communications for our valued customers. Most importantly, our values are totally aligned, in providing a first-class service to our customers and looking after our colleagues and the communities we work in."

Centrality CEO David Keeling commented:

“I'm really pleased to see Centrality join the Intercity Group. Our combined expertise will allow us to provide a more comprehensive range of capabilities for our customers. Centrality's position as a Microsoft partner puts us in an elite group of accredited organisations, very few in the UK possess Microsoft credentials that we do.”

What's new

Aurrigo Sees Record Revenue Surge as Global Demand for Autonomous Airport Vehicles Accelerates

Coventry-based transport technology specialist Aurrigo International has announced a 34% rise in annual revenue, driven by surging global interest in its autonomous airport solutions. The company reported £8.9 million in turnover for the last financial year, supported by the deployment of its advanced ground support vehicles and simulation technology across multiple international airports.

With ten of its autonomous vehicles now in active use worldwide, Aurrigo’s growth has been underpinned by commercial contracts involving its Auto-Sim® digital simulation platform and the Auto-DollyTug®, an all-electric autonomous vehicle designed to handle luggage and cargo movement within airport terminals.

The company's solutions have now been recommended for use across Aviation Solutions’ network of over 60 airports, following a successful pilot at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

Further expanding its product lineup, Aurrigo recently unveiled its largest-ever autonomous vehicle, the Auto-Cargo®, at its Coventry headquarters. Designed to carry payloads of up to 16,500kg, the vehicle incorporates cutting-edge automation, advanced obstacle detection, and real-time fleet coordination for efficient cargo handling. Backed by Innovate UK and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), the Auto-Cargo® will soon begin operational trials at UPS’ East Midlands Airport hub, the UK’s second-largest cargo terminal.

The company's autonomous technology division reported a staggering 433% increase in growth, complementing its established automotive business, which continues to supply precision components and wiring harnesses to major car manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers.

David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo International, said:

“2024 has been a transformative year, particularly for our autonomous division. Increased awareness and demand for intelligent airside solutions are fuelling long-term momentum. With successful deployments across seven global airports and first-mover status in intelligent Ground Support Equipment (iGSE), we are ideally positioned to scale in this emerging market.”

Keene praised his teams for expanding both the company’s product range and customer base, noting that Aurrigo’s proven track record and growing market credibility make it a clear leader in airport automation.

By Anushka Malhotra

19 May