Tech group SwarmOnline takes over digital agency

SwarmOnline founder Andrew Duncan, right, with client services director Tony McKenzie. Picture: Peter Devlin

Glasgow technology company SwarmOnline is acquiring Edinburgh digital agency Open Platform for an undisclosed sum in a bid to expand in the area of oil and gas as well as financial services.

The enlarged firm will trade as SwarmOnline, aiming to grow staff from 21 currently to 25 in the next 12 months, with joint turnover expected to hit £2 million in the next financial year.

Andrew Duncan, founder and managing director of SwarmOnline – a finalist in the recent Scottish Business Awards – said: “The offerings of the two companies are very closely aligned and we both have particular expertise in building web-based systems for internal employees as well as consumer-facing systems.

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“We are experts at building apps across multiple platforms and build hardware in-house for the energy sector. Open Platform is well known in the oil and gas sector and this will be a focus for the new business going forward.”

Open Platform managing director Tony McKenzie, who will take on a new role of client services director, added: “Our combined expertise and client lists are complementary and whilst we are particularly strong in oil and gas and financial services, SwarmOnline have a fantastic reputation in energy, utilities and property.”