'I'm surprised to be back': Phil Doye acquires SBL

York-based Microsoft partner unveils ambitious growth strategy as Kelway founder comes on board as CEO

Kelway founder Phil Doye has made an industry comeback by acquiring SBL.

Doye's acquisition vehicle, Glebe Holdings Limited, has snapped up a 100 per cent stake in the firm after current CEO and majority shareholder Dennis Hobban approached him to lead "the next stage of its growth".

Doye, who will also become SBL's CEO, built tech reseller Kelway over 25 years before selling it to US peer CDW in 2015. He resigned as a director of the firm in 2017.

Doye's involvement will spell follow-up funding to enable both organic and acquisitive growth, according to a statement from the firm.

CDW UK boss Dan Laws was among those reacting on Twitter.

Doye himself also weighed in on social media, admitting he didn't necessarily expect to make a channel comeback.

Public sector specialist SBL is an accredited MoD Security Specialist. It claims its DOBUS service has provided over 25 million patches and connected to 250,000-plus endpoints.

In its most year on record, to 31 August 2018, SBL recorded a net profit of £2.1m on revenues that fell from £155m to £139m.

As part of the deal, Hoban and FD Bryn Roberts will depart the firm, and the senior management team of Paul Jenkins, Scott Cattaneo and Tracie Barrow have been appointed as directors of SBL.

In a statement, Doye praised SBL's focus on cloud and security.

"With strong consultancy skills and a comprehensive suite of technical services, SBL is ideally positioned for growth," he said.

"After I spent time with the management team and learned about the business, it was clear that SBL have a great set of solutions and services to assist customers in their next phase of IT transformation. I am delighted to have completed the deal and look forward to working with the team as we begin an exciting new chapter in SBL's journey."

Reacting on Twitter, channel veteran Eddie Pacey branded the deal a "good move".