The Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, advised by the Foreign Investment Review Board, has issued a no objection notification to US-based Integris’ acquisition of Australian MSP First Focus.
The purchase of First Focus by Integris, which is backed by the private equity arm of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS), was first announced back in April.
Once the transaction is complete, the combined group will serve more than 4,000 businesses across Australia, New Zealand and the United States, with more than 1,200 staff. Clients will continue to be supported by local teams, while gaining access to a global bench of AI and cybersecurity specialists and 24/7 support.
First Focus will continue as the group’s "growth engine" in the region, and First Focus CEO Ross Sardi will take on the group role of chief innovation officer and remain CEO of the ANZ business.
He also will continue the group’s local acquisition path, building on recent New Zealand deals for OneHQ and Optimus Systems.
“Technology used to be a back-office cost. Today, the technology partner needs to be in the room alongside accountants, lawyers and other trusted advisers when businesses make decisions about growth, productivity and risk," said Sardi.
"Owners want to trust their technology partner the way they trust their auditor. We have built a company that earns that trust, and we are measured on the outcomes we help clients achieve."
"Together we can give small businesses secure, governed, enterprise-grade managed AI and IT services, the kind that used to sit only in big companies, run by local teams who answer to the client," Integris CEO and executive chairman Rashaad Bajwa said.
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