UK-based cloud service provider iomart has acquired United Hosting, a hosting company based in Hertfordshire, UK. The deal will expands iomart’s managed hosting services capabilities for small and mid-size businesses.The total price of the deal could reach £11m, including £7.5m in cash plus another £3.5m depending on the performance of the company over the next 18 months.

Founded in 1998 and based in Hertfordshire, UK, United Hosting (which also known as United Communications Limited) offers domains and managed, dedicated  and shared hosting services. Currently, it serves approximately 6500 customers, mostly small businesses. The hosting company also leases data centre space in London and Dallas, Texas, and has a support function based in India.

Matt Wallis, director of United Hosting, said in a statement: “This is a huge opportunity to develop and grow the business”, also added that: “We are now backed by one of the leading providers of managed hosting and cloud services in the UK as well as a company with all the regulatory and financial strength that comes with being listed on the London Stock Exchange. Having met with Angus and his executive team we believe they can take us to the next level of success.”

Following the acquisition, United Hosting’s Matt Wallis and UH co-founder Simon Wallis will remain with United Hosting. 

Founded in 1998 and based in Glasgow, UK, Iomart Group has expertise in Vendor, platform and technology agnostic cloud hosting. Currently, the company owns and manages data centres in eight locations across the UK. It operates a number of different brands including Melbourne Server Hosting, which serves the SME market; Backup Technology, which provides cloud backup, disaster recovery and business continuity.

The deal is iomart’s second acquisition this year. In June, it acquired SystemsUp, an IT consultancy firm specializing in the delivery of public cloud solutions. 

Image credit: BBC