O'Connor Utilities Group (OCU) has acquired a majority shareholding in a Leeds-based fibre-optic specialist.
The investment in InICT Limited (InICT) will be undertaken by O'Connor Utilities Limited, which is OCU's northern operating unit.
InICT specialises in installing fibre optic cable for infrastructure clients across the north of England. It employs over 110 staff and generated annual revenues of £10m per its latest accounts.
The investment marks the latest move in OCU’s ambitious growth plans and will further drive its telecoms presence across the region, directly supporting clients including CityFibre, Virgin Media and KCOM. These companies are currently supporting the UK Government’s £5 billion Project Gigabit by providing next generation connectivity for homes and businesses across the UK.
The Government is committed to ensuring 85% of UK homes have access to ultrafast broadband by 2025, up from the current 70%. In her first speech as prime minister earlier this month, Liz Truss also highlighted that improving broadband infrastructure was a key priority for her government.
Adrian O’Sullivan, managing director of O'Connor Utilities, said: "The investment in InICT is part of our strategy to add to our own expertise across the north of England for both the telecoms and multi-utility sectors. By embracing new talent through these partnerships, we are able to increase our roll-out capabilities and support the future economy on both a local and national level. We already work with some exciting companies in the region and adding InICT will significantly strengthen our offering. Evolving and adding new talent to our portfolio reinforces our commitment to the region and ensures we are always providing the best possible services to our clients."
Andrew Burn, director of InICT, said: "We have worked closely with OCU over the last couple of years and built a strong relationship. We share an ethos of getting things right first time by providing clients with a first-class service. We are delighted to become part of the group and see OCU as the ideal partner to help our clients accelerate the deployment of fibre infrastructure in the north of England."
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
22/11/2024
GMI Construction Group has reached a major milestone ahead of schedule in the construction of a £15.7 million waste-to-energy facility in County Durham. The steel framework of the 75,000 sq ft high-temperature thermal treatment plant has been completed, marking significant progress in the ...
22/11/2024
Cure has secured planning permission for a large new residential development in Keynsham, located along Bath Road. The project will deliver 208 homes designed with energy efficiency, community living, and sustainability in mind. The development will include a mix of 168 houses and 40 flats, with ...
22/11/2024
Morgan Sindall Construction has completed the restoration of West Bromwich Town Hall and Library, revitalising the iconic Grade II listed building for the community. Delivered five weeks ahead of schedule, the project preserves the historic site's architectural heritage while ensuring its future ...
22/11/2024
British Steel has unveiled a state-of-the-art rail stocking facility at its headquarters in Scunthorpe, marking a £10-million investment to bolster the UK's rail infrastructure. The new hub is the largest of its kind in the country and is set to play a pivotal role in supporting the rail ...
22/11/2024
Manchester City Council is seeking developers to transform a surplus multi-storey car park on Church Street into a landmark project in the heart of the city's iconic Northern Quarter. Named St Paul's, after the historic church that once stood on the site, the 1.54-acre (0.62-hectare) location ...
22/11/2024
A £500,000 project to refurbish the gateway to Tadcaster is set to begin next month, aimed at enhancing the town's appeal to visitors and supporting local businesses. The improvements will focus on upgrading the bus station, public toilets, and adding visitor amenities to make the area more ...
22/11/2024
Wandsworth Council has approved plans for 50% affordable housing. The changes to the local plan would require developers to deliver 50% affordable housing on all new schemes, with a majority to be council housing. The Local Plan formalises how the council works with developers to create and ...
22/11/2024
Homebuilder Thakeham has handed over the first nine homes at its Holmhurst St Mary development near Hastings, East Sussex, to Southern Housing. Addressing the need for affordable homes in the local community, Holmhurst Gardens is a 100% affordable housing scheme comprising both homes for rent and ...
22/11/2024
Thames Water has announced the completion of a £9.7 million upgrade to Benson Sewage Treatment Works, boosting its capacity and improving environmental outcomes. The project, which began in June 2022, was finished at the end of 2023 and has increased the site's treatment capacity by 29%, from 58 ...
22/11/2024
Dean Clough, the award-winning, 22-acre mixed use commercial destination in Halifax, has agreed new deals to let regional office space to two global operators. Severn Glocon, a global leader in industrial valve engineering and manufacturing, has secured a 2,460 sq ft of office space in Crossley ...