Soldier-turned-entrepreneur announces first acquisition just 12 months after launching OllyCom

A telecoms firm in Lancashire has announced its first acquisition just 12 months after it started trading.

Burnley-based OllyCom, which was established in March 2016 by former soldier Oliver Flanagan, has snapped up wireless communications company ObservIT.

Since founding the business, Oliver has worked closely with ObservIT’s Aidan Venn on a number of projects. He has now taken on the firm’s entire customer base.

Oliver, who trained in telecoms engineering after leaving the army in 2011, said: “I’ve worked closely with the business over the past six to eight months and as Aidan is moving on to the next chapter it made sense to take on ObservIT.

“I understand the business and the needs of its customers.”

He continued: “The focus here is wireless connectivity – it’s about helping people find solutions where they can’t get an internet connection, for instance it might be a school where pupils can connect their devices to one central system or a caravan park which needs connectivity in all caravans but can’t achieve it through the existing infrastructure.”

OllyCom designs, plans, installs and maintains telephone and data networks for companies, education institutions and local government organisations across the North West.

Speaking further, Oliver said ObservIT’s services will complement OllyCom’s existing offer, helping the business to grow and take on new staff to meet demand.

The company has received support through Boost, Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub, which is delivered by consultants Winning Pitch and Enterprise4all.

Winning Pitch’s head of entrepreneurial solutions, Rona McFall, said: “Oliver has made a huge impact to the market with his honest and problem-solving attitude towards business and helping his customers – we’re thrilled to see that our support has helped him on his path to grow and we wish him every success with the acquisition of ObservIT as he makes the step from sole trader to a limited company.”

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