Red Helix is a leader in cyber security and network performance with a 40-year heritage in supporting UK businesses and infrastructure. Formerly Phoenix Datacom, the company expanded to address the increasing cyber security needs of small and medium-sized businesses, now providing unparalleled 24/7/365 threat monitoring for organisations.
Headquartered in Buckinghamshire, Red Helix’s cyber security solutions provide enterprise-level technology that’s affordable for smaller businesses. Its network services support critical UK infrastructure and is trusted by network operators of all sizes.
Private equity partnership
LDC invested in Red Helix in 2021 to support the management team to expand the business’ suite of hardware and software products and related services to help its enterprise customers further enhance their cyber-security. LDC’s backing is also helping the team to explore complementary acquisitions.
As part of the partnership with LDC, Red Helix extended its banking facilities with its longstanding banking provider, Lloyds Bank.
Marion Stewart who was Deputy CEO/COO at the time of LDC’s investment took over as CEO from John Carson. John spent over 20 years building the Red Helix business and lead the LDC-backed management buyout of the business.
Encouraging diversity in STEM
Red Helix is on a mission to tackle the cyber skills shortage. The Red Helix Coding Club is providing primary school children in Buckinghamshire with exposure to the real-world applications of STEM.
Red Helix has launched the scheme in response to the chronic shortage of cyber skills in the UK, and to encourage more diversity in the sector, with a specific focus on aiding social mobility.
The Coding Club aims to enhance children’s education by giving them access to experts from Red Helix, that has decades of experience in the IT and security industry. It also supports the need to develop talent and a new generation of cyber-savvy individuals to bolster the UK’s cyber defences.
Strategic acquisition
In August 2025, Red Helix acquired security consultancy Risk Crew to expand its existing client offering with new cyber assurance capabilities. The acquisition is the latest milestone in Red Helix’s ambitious growth journey and will support its mission to help businesses build resilience against evolving cyber threats. Risk Crew provides information and security governance risk and compliance (GRC) consultancy and security penetration testing to businesses across the UK and Europe.
The sheer scale of the cyber risks faced by businesses has never been greater and we are committed to supporting our clients in the fight against cyber-crime. Adding broader cyber assurance services and skills to our business bolsters our ability to deliver on this mission.”
First acquisition
Chief Executive, Marion Stewart, discusses the business’s first acquisition, Risk Crew, in South East Business Insider. She explains how it has expanded Red Helix’s existing client offering and how LDC supported the acquisition process.
Read more to see how LDC is supporting Red Helix’s expansion plans.
