Daisy to run 2e2 data centres

Daisy Group has taken over 2e2’s data centre business.

The communications services firm has been contracted to manage the centres on behalf of Oakley Capital Private Equity, after 2e2 went into administration last month.

2e2 had several NHS customers including Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which signed a contract worth £36.8m over seven years to outsource its ICT services to 2e2 last year.

Earlier this month 2e2’s customers were asked to stump up £1m between them to keep the stricken company’s data centres functioning.

Sussex Partnership confirmed to EHI that as one of 2e2’s biggest customers it had paid £40,000 towards this fund. However, it was transitioning all of its services away from the company and expected to be “done and dusted” with 2e2 by today.

Another NHS customer, NHS North Central London, said it refused to pay the £4,000 asked of it.

The cluster consists of five of Primary Care Trusts: Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington.

A spokesperson for the cluster said it issued a letter terminating its contract with 2e2 within days of the company going into administration.

“Within hours of hearing the news from 2e2’s administrators, NHS North Central London’s IT team had reviewed its options and, with HR support, had met with the affected 2e2 staff,” the spokesperson said.

“Temporary contracts were offered to the ex-2e2 staff needed to ensure continuity of IT services across North Central London as well as providing interim employment for some of the affected staff. In under 24 hours, the North Central London inhouse solution, including an operational internal help desk, was up and running.”

Daisy Group will work with existing data centre employees of the business to provide data and hosting services from its data centres in Gateshead and Reading.

Matthew Riley, Daisy chief executive said: “This appointment provides 2e2 customers with the opportunity to work with a long-term partner with proven expertise in the growing data and hosting market.”