Griffin Information Systems 
ISP Griffin Sold To Octium
Derby-based internet service provider Griffin Information Systems has been sold to Octium Limited in a transaction led by Cooper Parry Corporate Finance.
Griffin, which recently moved to purpose built offices on Pride Park, employs 20 people and is one of the UK’s longest established ISPs. It is also one of Midlands’ fastest growing having increased sales from £191k in 1999 to £3.2m in 2004.
Octium is creating a group providing a broad range of IP based communication services to corporate customers. It will offer its customers innovative products and services backed up by the very highest quality customer service in an increasingly complex and critical part of any business. Griffin is Octium’s first acquisition, although a number of other acquisitions are being considered to further expand the group and broaden the service offering. Former Griffin shareholders Adrian Sunderland and Jim Willis have both taken a significant shareholding in Octium, with Adrian Sunderland moving into the role of Group Technical Director.
John Dawson a Director of Octium has been appointed Managing Director of Griffin with Andrew Dickinson appointed Sales and Marketing Director.
Adrian Sunderland commented: “We have achieved a great deal at Griffin over the last couple of years. However to take this business to the next level, to be the business communications provider of choice, we need a degree of scale which is now within sight thanks to the industry experience and financial strength that Octium provides.”
The transaction was structured and led by Cooper Parry’s Roy Farmer, who commented:
“The deal provides an opportunity for Octium to build on Griffin’s considerable success achieved to date, and create further employment opportunities within the city. With professional advice provided by locally-based firms, this transaction demonstrates that Derbyshire-based companies need not look outside Derby for professional advice.“
Legal advice was provided to Griffin by Andrew Borkowski of local firm Edwards Geldard. Octium was also advised locally by Crispin Bridges Webb of Eversheds and Julian Clough of Tenon.
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