There’s a new chapter at Stockport specialist cybersecurity distributor Distology following investment from Foresight Group, which has acquired the firm from NorthEdge.
NorthEdge invested in Distology in February 2021, backing founder and CEO Hayley Roberts (pictured)and her management team in their first institutional investment to broaden the vendor portfolio, deepen technical capability and scale the business internationally.
Over the two years to FY26, Distology delivered a 48% EBITDA CAGR, expanded and diversified its vendor portfolio, increased its services capability following the acquisition of Squareball in 2022, and strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of a chief technical officer and a chief commercial officer.
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Distology supports customers across the UK and Northern Europe, with operations in the Netherlands and Germany.
The company has strengthened its profile across the channel during the investment period, with Roberts named among the Top 20 EMEA Channel Leaders and the business receiving multiple channel and partner awards. It has also been recognised among the Top 200 Women-Powered Businesses and at the Northern Power Women Awards.
Founder and CEO Roberts said: “NorthEdge has been a fantastic partner over the past five years. They believed in us at a pivotal moment, backed our vision and helped us grow across the UK and Europe, while always supporting the culture and people that make Distology what it is today.
This investment means we can be much more ambitious with our growth plans, particularly across Europe, and gives us greater opportunity to pursue strategic acquisitions.
“It’s exciting news for our partners and vendors too. We’ll be able to provide even greater technical expertise, strengthen our vendor portfolio and give our partners more insight into what’s happening across the cybersecurity market and where the opportunities lie. That means they can have better conversations with customers, bring them the right solutions and become even more valuable to their businesses.
“Expanding across Europe is a major part of this next chapter. We’ll bring Distology’s value-add approach to our existing vendors in new markets, while also attracting new, high-growth cybersecurity vendors looking for a true value-added distributor with the expertise and scale to support them across Europe.”
Foresight’s investment will enable Distology to accelerate investment in people, technology and strategic initiatives while expanding the company’s reach across the UK and Europe. Foresight has 13 local offices across the UK and Ireland and a strong presence in the North West, reflecting its long-standing commitment to backing ambitious regional businesses and management teams.
Stephen McGuinness, senior investment manager at Foresight, said: “Distology has established itself as one of the most respected specialist value-added distributors in the cybersecurity market whilst retaining the agility, energy and customer focus that have been central to its success. Hayley and the team have consistently demonstrated an ability to identify emerging cybersecurity technologies, build meaningful vendor partnerships and create real value for customers and resellers alike. We believe the business is exceptionally well placed to capitalise on the opportunities ahead and are excited to support the team as they continue to scale across Europe.”
Liam May, partner at the exiting NorthEdge, added: “Distology is exactly the kind of business we set out to back – a founder-led regional business operating in a strategically important sector with genuine national and international reach. Throughout our investment, Hayley and the team delivered strong growth by diversifying the vendor portfolio, deepening technical capability and extending Distology’s reach across Northern Europe, all while building a culture that attracts and retains exceptional talent.
“As NorthEdge’s ninth technology realisation, Distology reflects our strong track record in the sector and we wish Hayley and the team every success in this exciting next chapter.”
