Intercity acquires Centrality to supercharge its Microsoft capabilities
By Intercity
1 minute 51 seconds
Growth

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Quick Read: Managed services leader Intercity has acquired Centrality, one of the UK’s most accredited Microsoft Service Partners. The acquisition transforms Intercity into a £60m turnover company with a 325+ strong team.
Intercity is today announcing its acquisition of Centrality, the next strategic step in their ambitious growth plans. This will significantly expand its Microsoft capabilities and managed service offerings.
Birmingham-based Intercity is a UK leader in managed IT services, cloud, security, and communications, serving over 1,300 customers nationwide.
Bedfordshire-based Centrality is one of the UK’s most accredited Microsoft Service Partners, with more than 25 years of Microsoft experience.
Photo: Christina Pendleton, David Keeling, Charlie Blakemore, Andrew Jackson, Bianca Parker-Beckett, Photo Credits: Intercity
Centrality CEO David Keeling will join Intercity’s board as a Managing Director of a new division focused on leveraging Centrality’s deep expertise in Microsoft’s suite of products and solutions.
Centrality’s 100-strong team will continue to work from the Bedfordshire office as part of a smooth transition plan into the Intercity Group. This will now take the combined team to over 325.
This strategic and targeted acquisition of centrality with its outstanding Microsoft capabilities has been developing over the last 18 months. The new capability expands Intercity’s Microsoft offering, complimenting existing partnerships with vendors such as Virgin Media O2, Vodafone, EE and Check Point.
Intercity Owner & Group CEO Andrew Jackson commented:
“We are thrilled to welcome Centrality to the Intercity Group. Centrality have grown significantly over the last five years and become well-known for their innovative and forward-thinking solutions by taking a Microsoft and cloud-first approach. Our commitment to be the best tech partner to work for and with will only be strengthened with this news. We look forward to welcoming all Centrality colleagues and their complementary expertise as they join the Intercity Group.
“At its core this deal is about people. Both Intercity and Centrality are not built on any specific IT product but on the huge expertise and relationships within our teams. That’s why I’m so glad Centrality CEO David Keeling is joining us.”
Intercity CEO Charlie Blakemore commented:
"I am delighted to welcome all of the Centrality team to Intercity. Centrality brings a fantastic and complimentary Microsoft capability to the Intercity Group and is a key part of our long-term strategic business growth plan. Together, we now offer an extensive service offering with expertise in Managed IT Services, Cloud, Security and Communications for our valued customers. Most importantly, our values are totally aligned, in providing a first-class service to our customers and looking after our colleagues and the communities we work in."
Centrality CEO David Keeling commented:
“I'm really pleased to see Centrality join the Intercity Group. Our combined expertise will allow us to provide a more comprehensive range of capabilities for our customers. Centrality's position as a Microsoft partner puts us in an elite group of accredited organisations, very few in the UK possess Microsoft credentials that we do.”
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West Midlands Poised to Lead UK’s AI Revolution, Says KPMG Partner

Private firms in the West Midlands are outpacing the rest of the UK in their plans to adopt artificial intelligence (AI), positioning the region at the forefront of digital innovation, according to KPMG’s Andy Bostock.
With the UK Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan aiming to cement the country as a global leader in artificial intelligence, the West Midlands is already taking significant steps in that direction. The plan, launched earlier this year, highlights how AI can modernise public services — and private sector companies across the region are responding to the call with enthusiasm.
According to KPMG’s Private Enterprise Barometer, published in December, 83% of West Midlands private firms are planning AI investments — well above the national average of 73%.
Andy Bostock, Senior Partner at KPMG, said:
“The most successful companies are those viewing AI not as a cost, but as a strategic investment in long-term growth and resilience.”
The West Midlands, with its strong roots in engineering and manufacturing, is well-positioned to reap the benefits of AI. From optimising supply chains to enhancing talent acquisition and predictive maintenance, AI applications are already transforming business models.
A recent joint report by KPMG and UKTN found that accelerating AI adoption across manufacturing and engineering will be essential to meet the region’s tech sector goal of reaching a £100 billion valuation by 2030.
The region is home to over 300 AI-focused businesses employing more than 11,000 people, forming one of the most dynamic digital clusters in the UK. Yet, Bostock stressed that the journey is just beginning.
To fully harness AI’s potential, businesses must establish strong, adaptable data frameworks and integrate AI solutions that align with their existing operations. This includes practical tools like chatbots for customer service, predictive analytics for inventory management, and AI-driven insights for marketing and long-term planning.
Andy Bostock added:
“Real business value comes from identifying where AI can enhance existing strengths. It’s not about starting over, it’s about getting smarter.”
As the region doubles down on digital transformation, Bostock believes cutting through the AI hype and focusing on measurable outcomes will be key to unlocking its full potential.
By Anushka Malhotra
11 Apr