Warwickshire solicitors advise on European acquisition

Warwickshire based solicitors Alsters Kelley has advised on a European acquisition which saw French, global-managed service provider Risc Group acquire 100% of UK data storage experts Clunk Click.

The deal sees Paris-based Risc Group, which has around 500 employees and 30,000 business customers throughout mainland Europe, take its first steps into the UK market.

Clunk Click, which is based in Conwy and Milton Keynes with data centres in the North West, was created in 2001 by its majority shareholder and managing director Paul Roberts.

All 11 team members will be staying on at the company, with Paul Roberts remaining managing director of Clunk Click while also heading up the launch of a new venture, Risc Security, in Manchester.

Geoff Brooke-Taylor, partner at Alsters Kelley, advised Clunk Click on the sale. He commented:

"Paul Roberts is to be credited with seeing the potential future opportunities for Clunk Click through its acquisition by Risc Group. He’s worked hard to ensure stability for the team and a future for the business while diversifying into new markets with the support of a leading European brand.

"Our knowledge of Clunk Click’s business and the experience of our corporate team enabled us to assist the parties in achieving a mutually satisfactory conclusion in very tight timescales.”

Paul Roberts, managing director of Clunk Click, said:

"One of the most important factors in agreeing to this acquisition was the prospect of working with the Risc team and the compassion they show to their customers, suppliers, employees and other stakeholders.

"Both our companies have developed through a culture of exceeding customers’ and suppliers’ expectations.”

Loïc Pequignot, CEO of Risc Group, commented:

"Clunk Click has developed into one of the most important providers of back-up solutions in the UK. We look forward to increasing this and becoming the leading provider of managed solutions through the Risc brand in the months and years to come.”