Acquisitive Diva dials up expansion plans

ACQUISITIONS are on the horizon for thriving Yorkshire business Diva Telecom as it looks ahead to a buoyant future.

The firm focuses on providing telephone lines, phone systems and mobile phones to businesses, as well as offering audio conferencing and an SMS service.

It specialises in supplying inbound numbers globally and helping businesses tap into overseas markets, without the costs associated with having an actual presence there.

If a business wanted to have a presence in Germany but didn’t want the expense of having an office there, Diva would supply the firm with a German freephone number which would bring the calls to the office in the UK.

Working in around 100 different countries, Diva now hopes to drive its client base further.

Founder Erica Lewis said: “I’m pleased to say we are cash rich, so we have the opportunity to acquire another company and we’ve now started putting the feelers out.

“It’s ok talking about organic growth and that is what we’ve done, but it is more and more competitive in our market and we now want to increase our customers. As long as we find the right company, we see this as a huge opportunity for Diva. It could really drive our client base.”

The firm was launched in 2006 by Lewis, who brought with her 25 years of experience in the sector, and has quickly grown, reporting 30% growth each year in its first few years and a rise in profitability.

Based at Mortec Office Park in Leeds, Diva is on track to report turnover of almost £3m this year and has plans to expand its staff of nine to help it develop.

“Ideally, we will look at a company that offers the services we already do and one which can complements us well,” Lewis said.

“It’s an exciting time for the business and now, our job is to find the right organisation.”

Diva’s clients include a mixture of SMEs and large corporates – Toshiba, HTC and major banks and pharmaceutical companies are on the books, alongside a dance wear company and catalogue firm.

The business said its inbound numbers area of the business is helping an array of different firms develop and is proving popular in the travel sector and with IT companies, as well as luxury brands.

“Companies are now aware we offer this service and a lot of businesses are looking to expand their business market. We’ve seen a lot of luxury brands wanting to get numbers so they can expand overseas.”