ADNS

A fast-growing managed services provider secures its next stage of growth

Founded in 2011, AD Network Solutions Group (ADNS) has established itself as a trusted managed IT services provider, delivering IT support, communications, network infrastructure and cyber security solutions to a wide range of organisations.

Alongside its core managed services offering, the business operates ADNS Education, a specialist division focused on safeguarding and classroom connectivity, giving the company a strong presence within the education sector.

Having achieved exceptional growth over more than a decade, ADNS has built a reputation for delivering flexible, high-performance technology solutions while maintaining long-term customer relationships and recurring revenue streams.

 “This marks the beginning of an ambitious buy-and-build journey focused on delivering best-in-class IT services, digital transformation and cloud solutions to businesses.”

Owlis

Advising on a strategic partnership to support the company’s next phase of development

The shareholders approached KBS Corporate with a clear objective, to find the right strategic partner who could help take the business to the next level while allowing them to realise value from everything they had built.

Importantly, they wanted to remain involved in the company’s future and continue supporting its growth as part of a larger organisation.

Matthew Sibley, Associate Director at KBS Corporate, led the transaction, providing strategic advice throughout the sale process to ensure the shareholders achieved the strongest possible outcome. The wider K3 Advisory Group also supported the transaction, with K3 Law advising on the legal aspect and K3 Tax providing specialist tax advice.

For the shareholders, this was their first experience of a transaction of this nature, making specialist guidance particularly important. The process involved detailed due diligence and negotiations across multiple areas of the business, including the treatment of the balance sheet.

One of the more complex aspects of the deal involved agreeing the balance sheet, reflecting the ongoing nature of ADNS’ managed service contracts and the multiple moving parts within the business. Through careful negotiation, KBS Corporate successfully guided both parties to a suitable agreement.

The shareholders also benefited from K3 Law’s expertise to guide them through the process providing a holistic approach to business sales.

“We don’t have the legal expertise required to map through what we now know to be quite a minefield when it comes to these types of transactions.

“KBS did a great job for us, specifically Matt Sibley. Also thanks to Khurshid and the team at K3 Law.

“Thank you for your hard work and expertise in delivering the outcome.”

John Lupton, Commercial Director, ADNS

A shared vision for building a leading managed services platform

Several parties expressed interest in ADNS, reflecting continued buyer demand for high-quality managed service providers with recurring revenue and strong customer retention.

Owlis quickly emerged as the standout partner thanks to its ambitious strategy to build a nationwide group of leading managed services providers. Backed by private equity from Ansor, Owlis had recently completed another acquisition through KBS Corporate, making ADNS one of the founding businesses within the new technology group.

For the shareholders, the appeal went beyond the immediate transaction. Owlis offered the investment and infrastructure required to support ADNS’ next phase of development while allowing the existing leadership team to remain involved in building the business.

The transaction therefore provided a balance between realising value from the company they had built and retaining an active role in its future.

“I’m actually staying within what I’m doing with now a mindset of helping this business become a national business.”

John Lupton, Commercial Director, ADNS

Strengthening Owlis’ growing technology platform

The acquisition represents an important milestone in Owlis’ buy-and-build strategy, bringing together high-quality regional managed service providers under a collaborative national platform.

For Owlis, ADNS provides an established presence in the North East and strengthens its capabilities within the education sector, while adding an experienced team with an impressive history of sustained growth and technical expertise. 

For ADNS, joining the group provides a new platform from which to pursue its ambitions, while reducing some of the pressures associated with operating independently.

The transaction gives the existing leadership team the opportunity to concentrate on growing the business and developing its national presence, supported by the wider resources and expertise of the Owlis platform.

“I’d be more than happy to recommend and refer in the future. I’ve no hesitation in doing that.”

John Lupton, Commercial Director, ADNS