Management-led team buys CIO Connect

A management-led buyout team has bought IT management networking organisation CIO Connect from the National Computing Centre (NCC).

The buyout was led by CIO Connect chief executive Nick Kirkland and supported by investment from Shackleton Ventures.

The new owner, who bought the business for an undisclosed sum, promised further investment to enhance the membership organisation dedicated to chief information officers and their teams.

Kirkland said there would be new funding for member relationships and services. "Independence allows us to completely dedicate our organisation to the chief information officer and their agenda," he said in a statement.

Michael Gough, NCC's chief executive, said the extra investment in CIO Connect would enable it to "grow to the next level" and focus on "championing" the "professional management of IT within the UK".

Hugh Stewart, managing partner with Shackleton, will join the CIO Connect board.