Benchmark International

Benchmark International is pleased to announce that Barry-based Capital Network Solutions (CNS) has been acquired by Hemel Hempstead-based Flow Communications (Flow), as part of its new buy and build strategy.

Established in 1996, CNS is a cyber security and infrastructure consultancy, ensuring data security and best practice for its clients. It is a highly accredited CREST Penetration Testing company and one of the largest IASME Cyber Essentials Certification Bodies within the UK having issued more than 3,000 certificates.

Flow is a network and security solutions provider, addressing the IT demands of the UK’s leading corporations. The acquisition of CNS complements Flow's current service offerings and aligns to the Flow vision.

Following the acquisition, CNS will continue to trade under its name and see an enlarged group employing 50.

CNS’ managing director, Sarah Edwards, will lead the efforts in bringing the two companies together while Mark Edwards, current director of cybersecurity and networks, will join Flow as group chief technology officer.

Ms Edwards commented: “Mark‌ ‌and‌ ‌myself‌ ‌are‌ ‌very‌ ‌excited‌ ‌about‌ ‌joining‌ ‌the‌ ‌Flow‌ ‌Group‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌fantastic‌ ‌opportunities‌ ‌it‌ ‌brings‌ ‌to‌ ‌our‌ ‌customers‌ ‌and‌ ‌staff‌ ‌through‌ ‌the‌ ‌combined‌ ‌services‌ ‌and‌ ‌skills‌ ‌of‌ ‌both‌ ‌companies.”

Flow’s chief executive, Etienne‌ ‌Greeff, said: “This‌ ‌is‌ ‌just‌ ‌the‌ ‌start‌ ‌of‌ ‌our‌ ‌buy‌ ‌and‌ ‌build‌ ‌strategy,‌ ‌I‌ ‌am‌ ‌excited‌ ‌for‌ ‌what‌ ‌the‌ ‌next‌ ‌18-24‌ ‌ months‌ ‌will‌ ‌bring.‌ ‌The‌ ‌acquisition‌ ‌of‌ ‌CNS‌ ‌brings‌ ‌a‌ ‌wealth‌ ‌of‌ ‌skills‌ ‌to‌ ‌our‌ ‌existing‌ ‌team‌ ‌of‌ ‌experts.‌”

Europe: Michael Lawrie at +44 (0) 161 359 4400 / Lawrie@BenchmarkIntl.com

Americas: Sam Smoot at +1 (813) 898 2350 / Smoot@BenchmarkIntl.com

Africa: Anthony McCardle at +27 21 300 2055 / McCardle@BenchmarkIntl.com 

ABOUT BENCHMARK INTERNATIONAL

Benchmark International’s global offices provide business owners in the middle market and lower middle market with creative, value-maximizing solutions for growing and exiting their businesses. To date, Benchmark International has handled engagements in excess of $7B across various industries worldwide. With decades of global M&A experience, Benchmark International’s deal teams, working from 14 offices across the world, have assisted hundreds of owners with achieving their personal objectives and ensuring the continued growth of their businesses.

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