Telstra acquires Company85, sets sights on UK, Europe

Telstra has set its sights on the UK and European market by acquiring London-based technology services provider Company85.

Company85 was founded in 2010 and has approximately 75 staff. The Company85 provides data centre, workspace, cloud, security and network services, and has developed an approach for standardising and automating data centre migrations. Its UK customers include the BBC, NHS and London City Airport.

Telstra's executive director of business technology services Christopher Smith said the UK is a key market for growing the company's services business into Europe.

“Company85’s offering is strongly aligned to the existing suite of technology consulting services we offer our Australian customers, and is consistent with the strategic investments we have made in Australia. Importantly, it aligns with our strategy to grow our services business in regions that are key hubs for multinational corporations,” said Smith.

“Company85’s broad set of consulting capabilities will help us to differentiate our offerings in Europe. We will be able to engage in IT transformation conversations with prospective customers early in the proposal stage, which we believe will help to strengthen our position and create demand for our network services in the region,” said Smith.

Telstra has made its intentions for international expansion known in the past, and is no stranger to making acquisitions abroad.

In 2014, Telstra acquired cable operator and telecommunications provider Pacnet, gaining access to its extensive infrastructure and enterprise business in Asia in the process. As well as rolling in the Pacnet business into its own offering, Telstra also used Pacnet as a launch pad into the Asian market.

Late last year, Telstra acquired New Zealand-based cybersecurity firm Cognevo after its parent company sank into administration. Telstra was a former customer of Cognevo, and the company expanded its managed services capability through the acquisition.