Communicate acquires Blaze Networks to further expand network and cybersecurity expertise
Communicate, a Rockpool-backed provider of cyber security and IT network solutions, has acquired Blaze Networks, a security-focused managed service provider with SD-WAN networking expertise.
The acquisition of Blaze marks Communicate’s fifth acquisition to date, and its second since securing private equity investment from Rockpool in June 2024.
Blaze Networks is headquartered in Macclesfield and will continue to be led by Managing Director, Ben Brassington. The acquisition further strengthens Communicate’s technical capabilities with Blaze’s core expertise in designing and delivering multi-site, wide area networks using the latest SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) and SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) technologies.
Communicate’s turnover has increased from at the time of Rockpool’s investment in June 2024 to a projected £17m in 2025.
Rockpool provided further funding to Communicate for the acquisition of Blaze Networks. Tom Coey (Investment Director) and Toby Hurdle (Investment Manager) led the transaction for Rockpool.
“Bringing Blaze Networks into the Communicate group significantly strengthens our ability to offer cutting-edge, secure IT solutions. Their expertise in SD-WAN and SASE complements our existing capabilities, allowing us to provide businesses with seamless, scalable, and highly secure network architectures. This acquisition is not only about expanding our service offering – it’s about creating real value for customers and fostering professional growth for our team as we continue to scale.”
Tony Snaith, CEO of Communicate Technology“Joining Communicate presents a fantastic opportunity for Blaze Networks to accelerate its growth while continuing to deliver the high-quality solutions our customers rely on. By integrating with Communicate, we can offer an even more comprehensive service, while also providing our team with exciting new career development opportunities. Having re-invested in the group, I am fully committed to this next phase of expansion.”
Ben Brassington, Managing Director of Blaze NetworksAdvisers
Communicate and Rockpool were advised by Cooper Parry (financial and tax), Roxburgh Milkins (legal) and Taylor Wessing (legal). Blaze Networks was advised by KBS Corporate Finance (M&A), K3 Law (legal) and K3 Advantage (Tax).
About Rockpool
Rockpool Investments is a private equity firm dedicated to creating opportunities for high-net-worth individuals and family offices to invest in private companies. Rockpool provides equity and loan capital of between £5m to £15m to profitable UK-based companies and has invested over £750m since inception.
