Informa Combines Telecoms MR and Consultancy Units

London-based business information and events group Informa has merged its technology consultancy Ovum with Informa Telecoms and Media Research, under the Ovum name.

The new company will offer customers analysis across the converging IT, media and telecoms industries, while providing access to a suite of new research, market data and consulting capabilities. In addition, a multi-million pound investment programme will see all complementary product portfolios merged and a new online delivery platform introduced for all research. The new Ovum will be spread across 23 offices in six continents, employ 275 staff, including 180 analysts providing a combination of global and local insight.

The merged business, which will be fully integrated by the end of May, will be led by Steve Hotham (pictured), current MD of Ovum, who will become its CEO. He will be supported by a senior management team drawn from both organisations including Ian Charlesworth as MD of IT Research; Tim Jennings as IT Chief Research Officer; Martin Hill as MD for Telecoms and Media (T&M) Research; Mark Newman as T&M Chief Research Officer; and Richard Mahony and Rob Gallagher as Research Directors for Telecoms, and Media & Entertainment Research respectively.

Hotham comments on the changes: 'Our customers need a research firm that can provide a singular, inter-connected view on industry transformation, future trends and the impact on their businesses. By combining Ovum and ITM Research, we are assembling a unique team of readily accessible analysts, offering a comprehensive portfolio of research, data products and consulting services across telecoms, media and IT.'

Web sites: www.informa.com , www.ovum.com and www.informatandm.com .