THE new owners of a Bradford-based communications group are planning further growth and integration of its operations following a management buyout.

Universal AV and its associated events business Universal Live have been acquired by new managing director Nick Fitzpatrick, who was previously sales director and has been with the business since 1993; Andy Robinson, financial director, along with Jon Eden and Kirsty Waine, directors of Universal Live.

Universal AV and Universal Live have been acquired by a new holding company, Universal Group Holdings, controlled by the existing management team.

The acquisition includes the company’s Bradford headquarters in a converted school aand adjacent former church as well as offices in Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle, Rossendale and Rugby, all staff, assets and order book.

The deal provided Universal with an appropriate structure to bring about the change of ownership and support the management's integrated growth strategy and plans.

Its new owners plan to ensure the two arms of the business collaborate more closely providing everything from interactive meeting room installations through to the event management of annual general meetings and product launches for FTSE 100 clients .

Nick Fitzpatrick said: “We have some ambitious growth plans in place for the companies. In the industry we are renowned for our integration and installation services, however we truly see ourselves as a double threat. We have one of the largest fleet of Panasonic projectors throughout the UK, for use in live events. Combined Universal is a true force to reckon with."

Kirsty Waine added: “We see the management buyout as an exciting opportunity to collaborate and explore our joint customer base. Universal as a group has a strong team and service offering which we aim to develop.”

Established in April 1990, Universal AV Services Ltd employs more than 80 staff and has built up long term relationships with clients in the education, corporate and public sectors.

It has worked for many major corporates, including Asda and BMW. At the London 2012 Olympics, Universal worked with BT on a pre-games event in Hyde Park .

At the University of Bradford, it provided and installed equipment enabling students to work in small pods, while the lecturer can command the whole room from a central point, and also supported the refurbishment of the university's great hall.

It has also worked with US-based Sonic Foundry Inc on installing a £2 million multimedia management system at Leeds University to create a video reference library of lectures.

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