A York technology chief has sold the major company he founded more than 20 years ago.

Mark Fordyce launched York Data Services in 2003 as the city lacked the technology found in the capital, especially its banking sector.

Over the years, the company grew to become a Tier 2 Internet Service Provider, the same stature as Virgin and TalkTalk, having 700 business customers across the UK.

Now, York Data Services has been sold to Teesside-based Communicate Technology, which was founded in 2011 and similarly specialises in IT, telecoms and cybersecurity.

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This is Communicate’s fourth acquisition and first since partnering with private equity investor Rockpool Investments in June 2024.

Communicate describes the acquisition as ‘strategic’, saying it is part of its “ongoing buy-and-build strategy to expand its  service offering and network coverage.

A statement continued: “The acquisition of York Data Services is highly complementary, significantly increasing the group’s network coverage across Northern England and London.

“The acquisition will allow Communicate to enhance its service capabilities and offer a wider range of IT support and cyber security services to York Data Services’ existing customer base.”

Communicate CEO Tony Snaith said: “We are extremely excited about the integration of York Data Services and their talented team, their underlying network infrastructure and fantastic customer base.

“This really strengthens and supports Communicate’s extensive growth plans and it became immediately apparent that both businesses had a complimentary service portfolio and were an excellent cultural fit.

“We look forward to further developing and nurturing long term relationships with both the team and customers over the coming months.”

Mark Fordyce, Founder of York Data Services, said: “York Data Services is extremely proud of its reputation for customer care, passion and transparency, built up over twenty years.

“Communicate not only share those values and company culture, but gives the opportunity to build on that reputation by investing in our team and our key services of connectivity, telecoms and managed solutions.

“We look forward to working with the team at Communicate to grow the York Data Services customer base across the region and the UK.”

York Data Services was advised by Andrew Jackson Solicitors, whose team was led by corporate partner Philip Ashworth, who was assisted by Nicole Waldron (corporate), Kirsty Barsby and Ailish Ward (property), Gillian Markland (employment) and Fiona Phillips (tax). 

Philip Ashworth added: - "Having helped to establish York Data Services in 2003 for Mark, Rachel and colleagues, and having acted for them over the intervening 21 years, it is a delight to see their hard work and determination come to fruition on their successful sale to Communicate."