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17th April 2024 Issue no. 701
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Send For Help Group acquires Bluechip Technologies to become Europes largest lone worker protection provider
The Send For Help Group has acquired Bluechip Technologies Ltd (trading as Guardian24), which makes the group the largest lone worker protection provider in Europe. Combined with its existing subsidiary Skyguard, the Group has a subscriber base totalling 70,000 users across a diverse range of Public and Private sector vertical markets.
Formed in 2010, The Send For Help Group was setup as the investment vehicle of technology entrepreneur Jan Murray, to enable the acquisition of Skyguard Ltd. Jan has an established track record in emerging hi-tech industries, having launched the PC World superstores chain and Internet Technology Group, which was the largest sale of an independent ISP in the UK.
The deal has enabled the Group to take advantage of a number of synergies; Guardian24's subscribers will be migrated to Skyguard's state of the art Incident Management Centre in Surrey, for alarm management and emergency response. The purpose-built facility, is manned 24/7 by Skyguard's highly trained Controllers and accredited to the highest industry standards; BS 8484, BS 5979 (Category II) and ACPO's Secured by Design scheme.
The two companies will also share new product development and technical expertise, augmenting their existing portfolio of dedicated personal safety devices, Smartphone applications and mobile phone solutions.
Send For Help Group's Chief Executive, James Murray comments, "This acquisition makes the Group the biggest provider in Europe's Lone Worker protection industry, by some margin, which provides us with a solid foundation for future expansion and further acquisitions.
"Through our well established brands, we are industry leaders in the key lone working sectors from the NHS and Police with Skyguard, to Social Housing and Charity sectors with Guardian24. This deal allows us to reinforce our leading position at a time when the market is experiencing a period of consolidation and maturation."
8th April 2015