Investment type
- Management buyout
Established in 2006, Aspire Technology Solutions (Aspire) provides end-to-end IT managed services and cyber security solutions to over 2,000 organisations, supporting more than 30,000 end users. Its comprehensive service portfolio spans managed IT, cyber security, modern workplace, cloud, connectivity and unified communications.
With a robust portfolio of services and a dedicated team of over 300 technology specialists, Aspire is committed to delivering innovative solutions to help organisations innovate, become more efficient and grow quicker.
LDC first backed the management team in 2022, with a significant minority investment in a transaction that valued the business at £85m.
Working with a leading investor that’s right on our doorstep in the North East was really important to us. LDC has an extensive history of supporting businesses just like ours to grow.”
During the first three years of the partnership, Aspire delivered strong and sustained growth, with revenue up 158% and headcount increasing by 55%. The company also expanded its geographic footprint across the UK, and successfully completed two strategic acquisitions.
Expanding its services and footprint
In 2024, the company moved into a larger city centre office, located in the heart of Glasgow’s vibrant commercial district.
It also demonstrated strong M&A capabilities through the acquisitions of Glasgow-based Cloud Cover IT, a dynamic managed service provider, and Leeds-based CloudCoCo, an experienced managed service provider. These acquisitions established two new regional hubs and added over £10m in revenues.
Aspire continues to successfully expand beyond the North East, with more than 30 per cent of customers now located outside the region.
Significant growth and customer excellence
In the financial year ending February 2025, Aspire surpassed its £50m revenue milestone two years ahead of schedule, and is on track for £71.2m revenue and £13.5m EBITDA this financial year (2025/26).
Growth is underpinned by significant investment in technology infrastructure, including in private cloud and network enhancements, alongside new AI-powered tools.
The company also continues to achieve exceptional customer satisfaction levels with a Net Promoter Score of 87.2, and in May 2025 was awarded a Royal Warrant, an exceptional mark of excellence granted to companies serving the Royal Household. One of just 16 North East businesses to hold this honour, Aspire was recognised as the supplier of IT and data cabling.
Accelerating expansion
As a result of Aspire’s significant growth, the value of the business increased from £85m in 2022 to £192m in 2025.
In November 2025, LDC reinvested for a significant minority alongside new minority co-investor Federated Hermes to support the next phase of Aspire’s growth journey.
Aspire is now continuing to invest organically in its service capabilities while pursuing strategic acquisitions to accelerate its scale and geographic reach across the UK.
LDC has supported our ambition since 2022 and their continued partnership as a lead investor, now alongside Federated Hermes, gives us the platform to move forward with confidence.”
Raising the ambition bar
Featured in Commsdealer, Aspire CEO Chris Fraser outlines the set of strategic principles that remain unchanged from the day the MSP was established.
Read MoreAwards
The Technology Business of the Year Award
The Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards 2025
Deal of the Year (£5m – £20m) Aspire’s acquisition of CloudCoCo
North East Dealmakers 2025
North East Tech Growth Companies
Insider North East Tech Growth List 2025
Sustainability in Tech Award
Dynamites24 Awards
Entrepreneur of the Year (Chris Fraser)
North East Dealmakers Awards 2024
SME Sustainability Award
North East Automotive Alliance Awards 2023
100 fastest-growing technology companies in the North of England and Scotland (No. 99)
Northern Tech Awards 2022