PANEL SESSION

MSP Consolidation – Navigating M&A, Investment and Exit Strategies

Consolidation continues to reshape the managed services market as investors and strategic buyers look to build larger, more capable service providers. For many MSPs, mergers, acquisitions and external investment are becoming important pathways to accelerate growth or realise shareholder value. This panel explores how the M&A landscape is evolving and what it means for MSP owners and executives. Panellists will discuss the attributes that buyers and investors are increasingly seeking, including recurring revenue models, strong customer retention, vertical expertise and operational maturity. The conversation will also examine the practical challenges involved in preparing a business for investment or sale. Topics include improving financial visibility, strengthening leadership teams and ensuring operational processes can scale post-transaction. For MSPs considering acquisitions themselves, the panel will highlight how smaller providers can expand their footprint, add new capabilities or enter new markets through strategic deals. Attendees will gain insight into how valuations are shifting, how deals are structured, and what steps MSP leaders can take today to position their organisations for long-term strategic growth.

PANELLISTS INCLUDE

Adam Monks

Academia Technology Group

Adam leads Academia Technology Group’s technical services capability across AI, managed services, cyber security, cloud, infrastructure and IT strategy. As co-founder of Smartdesc, now part of Academia, he brings deep experience in building trusted, scalable technology services that help organisations remove complexity, strengthen operations and get more value from technology.

Jesse Harfield

Fluid One

Leading a team of around 250, my focus is on delivering the UK's premier IT Managed Services to SMB and Enterprise customers, leveraging skills in hardware, private clouds, and networking all delivered to exceed customer expectations.

Ken Roulston

Ex2 Consultancy

In 2009 Ken started NewCMI (CMI) as an MSP focussed on the mid market private and third party in the UK. Having made 6 acquisitions the company grew to 120 employees with a turnover of approx. £17m providing services to over 10000 end users. In March 2023 the business was acquired by the BCN Group. Ken is now providing Strategic Business Consultancy and M&A Advisory Services to a number of MSP’s. He has also assisted Kaseya as a consultant for its M&A Concierge Initiative. Over the years he has been a regular speaker at various Trade events.