THE assets of a Bradford-based web design company have been bought by a fellow West Yorkshire firm.

Webposse, based at the Inspire Bradford Business Park, Newlands Way, Eccleshill, has agreed a deal with Leeds website and digital marketing agency Ascensor to purchase its assets.

The tie-up also sees Webposse’s associated web hosting firm ClaretMedia LLP, also being secured by Ascensor for an undisclosed sum.

The deal sees Ascensor acquiring the clients, servers and brands from both Webposse and ClaretMedia LLP.

The move will also preserve current jobs at Webposse.

Former Webposse owner Steve Bennett will continue with Ascensor on a consultancy basis for Ascensor. He will support clients and manage a smooth transition.

Mr Bennett said: “The deal with Ascensor is a great opportunity for me to continue to support the client bank that I’ve built up over the years.

“The Webposse brand is well established and the acquisition by Ascensor will provide Webposse customers with a range of new services.”

The deal will strengthen the market position of Ascensor, founded in 2007 by Andrew Firth, with the acquisition adding a large number of small firms to Ascensor’s client bank, supported through their small business team and their Air Websites products.

Ascensor provides web design and digital marketing to mid corporates and larger SMEs.

The team also offer bespoke Application Programming Interface (API) development and app development services.

The acquired firm Webposse is a web design and app development business, established in 1999 with more than 70 regional and national clients with active websites, across a number of sectors, including construction, professional services and the legal market.

Webposse’s clients have included the Leeds Law Society, Me Smarter Mortgages and Compliance Your Advice, which all received help with their respective websites from the Bradford firm.

Webposse also worked on the website and app of Protech Roofing, a Leeds-based roofing contractor.

Their sister firm Claret Media LLP provides web hosting services to a broad range of customers.

Mr Firth said: “This is a great acquisition for Ascensor. “It will enable us to extend our reach in our core markets of mid-corporate and larger SME firms.”

Mr Firth also praised Webposse and Claret Media for its existing client base.

“We will also be able to develop our services and extend our product offer to fit the profile of our new customers, including Air Websites, which provide a fast and scaleable Ecommerce capability to businesses of all sizes.

“Webposse and ClaretMedia have a raft of impressive clients. “We are looking forward to working with Steve to ensure a smooth transition in the first instance. “There will be no disruption to the current service, and we plan to help our new clients grow through our website, e commerce and digital marketing services.”