Deal will take Melbourne ‘to next level’

DANIEL Keighron-Foster, the founder of Melbourne Server Hosting, started looking for a buyer for the business after realising he needed help to “take it to the next level”.

The Manchester-based firm, set up in 2000, is being acquired by Glasgow-based iomart in a £7m deal.

In a blog post Keighron-Foster said his decision to sell was also informed by the death of his step-father Vic Collins, who was also a director of the business.

“I started Melbourne back in 2000 from my bedroom. Over the last 11+ years I’ve enjoyed every minute of watching Melbourne grow to the 30-strong team that we now are, with responsibility increasing at each stage,” he said.

“I realised earlier this year that I needed the help of people who know how to take Melbourne to the next level. As you may know, my co-director (and step-dad) Vic Collins passed away earlier this year which left me feeling very lonely running Melbourne by myself.”

Keighron-Foster told TheBusinessDesk.com: “I suppose the long-term plan was always to sell but losing my co-director brought that forward as he was always the long-term strategy person.”

The business was owned by Keighron-Foster’s family, and he said he now plans to spend more time with them.

“I’m here for the time being, it’s not clear how long just yet. I think as everyone gets to know each other a bit better it will become clearer. 

“I’ll be here for at least six months though. And I’m not sure what I’ll do next; the plan is to concentrate on spending more time with family and starting my own family.”