Cybersecurity consultancy ThreeTwoFour joins Node4

Digital transformation firm Node4 has purchased ThreeTwoFour for an undisclosed fee. The security and technology risk specialist becomes Node4’s third purchase in 18 months.  

Founded in 2019 by Alex Coburn, Sara Ng and Oli Johnson, the firm originally branded ‘The 324 Consultancy’ is a boutique consulting firm specialised in cyber risk management and cyber security. Providing advisory and programme delivery services to clients across the financial services industry, it has thrived amid the heightened digital demands of the past four years.

Having built a 30-strong team and a reliable client base, the firm rebranded as ‘ThreeTwoFour’ in 2021, with its name and reformed digital identity looking to reflect the firm’s role helping its clients to “navigate their cyber security challenges”, while letting new customers what they would get from the firm. Now, as ThreeTwoFour looks to further expand its global profile, it has become part of Node4 – a Derby-headquartered cloud-led managed services provider.

The move is Node4’s third in 18 months, having also bought IT managed services and solutions provider risual, and UK-based independent Microsoft Business applications partner Tisski. With the arrival of ThreeTwoFour, Node4 will enhance its security and transformation capabilities, particularly for enterprise-level clients.

“The ThreeTwoFour team are highly experienced and skilled professionals with a strong leadership team and exceptional track record of success,” commented Andy Gilbert, CEO of Node4. “The organisations are also a great cultural fit and together, we anticipate driving strong growth across our shared customer base and beyond. We look forward to working closely with Alex and everyone at ThreeTwoFour.”

ThreeTwoFour’s founder, Alex Coburn, along with his leadership team, will remain with the business as it integrates with Node4. ThreeTwoFour will retain its own branding meanwhile, and will also function as the consultative arm of Node4’s security practice.

“We are delighted to join forces with Node4, whose reputation for customer-focused excellence is second-to-none across the UK technology industry,” added Alex Coburn, co-founder of ThreeTwoFour. “By integrating our expertise and Node4’s existing services portfolio, we are confident that we can deliver market-leading security and risk solutions for enterprises and SMEs alike.”

Professionals from Consulting M&A helped to close the acquisition. Advising on the sell-side, the firm help ThreeTwoFour throughout the deal – with Coburn noting that as soon as the firm was approached by Node4, “we asked CM&A to support us through the process, which enabled us to continue running the business during some complex negotiations.”

He noted, “The team were extremely supportive and flexible throughout, and were assertive in looking after the interests of ThreeTwoFour, both in the short term as we got the deal done, but also ensuring that the working relationship after the transaction will maximise value for everybody involved: not just us, but also the new owners, and our clients.”