Concert Networks

What Concert Networks does

Concert Networks, operating commercially as Babble (also styled Babble Cloud), is a UK-based managed IT services provider headquartered in Knutsford and founded in 2003 (the company itself claims 26 years of operation, implying a 2000 origin). The firm serves UK small and medium businesses — a base of more than 6,100 customers nationwide — with a portfolio of technology services built around a proprietary 'Core Operating System' methodology that unifies clients' existing technology estates rather than replacing them. The portfolio spans Microsoft Managed Services, Cyber Security (powered by the HIDDEN framework), IT Managed Services, Customer Experience Platforms, Unified Communications, Connectivity, Mobile, and AI readiness. Supporting these are two branded methodologies: the AIME (AI-Driven Maturity Evolution) process for continuous technology maturation, and the HIDDEN cybersecurity framework. The company also publishes the Technology Performance Index, an annual research benchmark based on a survey of 1,000 UK SMB leaders, and offers SmartCheck, a free Microsoft 365 optimization assessment used as a mid-funnel lead generation tool.

The business model is managed services and consulting-led, with revenue generated from recurring managed service contracts and professional services engagements across cybersecurity, Microsoft 365 optimization, PSTN switch-off migration, and broader IT operations. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; customer acquisition is sales-led and consultative, beginning with a free assessment or a 'thirty minutes with a specialist' consultation and progressing into multi-service managed relationships. Go-to-market is direct-to-SMB through the company's website and specialist sales team, with no disclosed channel or reseller network. The only named customer reference is React Group, an enterprise multi-business conglomerate whose CTO/CEO Shaun Doak is quoted describing the firm as a lead technology consolidator following M&A activity — a use case that illustrates the company's willingness to move upmarket into more complex engagements despite its primary SMB positioning.

The company is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, parent company, or institutional investors. Operating geographies are exclusively UK, with no stated international expansion intent. Headcount is small (11-50 employees), and the technology stack is largely a stack of third-party platforms (Microsoft, networking, telephony) orchestrated through proprietary methodology rather than proprietary software products. The strategic narrative emphasizes consolidation, cybersecurity, and AI readiness — themes aligned with current UK SMB spend priorities — but the underlying business remains a traditional, specialist-led managed services operation.

Name

Concert Networks

Legal name

Babble

Website

https://concertnetworks.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Concert Networks (Babble) is a UK-based managed IT services provider serving 6,100+ small and medium businesses with Microsoft, cybersecurity, communications, connectivity, and AI readiness services unified through its proprietary Core Operating System methodology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Knutsford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Managed IT Services: Babble provides ongoing managed services covering Microsoft, cybersecurity, IT operations, unified communications, connectivity, mobile, and AI. Revenue appears to be recurring in nature based on the managed services model.
2. Professional Consulting: Advisory and consulting services for technology transformation, assessments (like SmartCheck for Microsoft 365), and strategic guidance on technology decisions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Concert Networks, operating as Babble, delivers Cloud Telephony and connectivity systems along with a portfolio of managed IT services for UK small and medium businesses. Its core offering combines unified communications, connectivity, Microsoft 365 management, cybersecurity, IT operations, customer experience platforms, and AI readiness services, unified by a proprietary "Core Operating System" methodology that integrates a client's existing technology rather than replacing it.

Product overview

Babble (Concert Networks) is an IT managed services provider offering a portfolio of technology services organized around its proprietary 'Core Operating System' approach — a methodology that unifies a business's existing technology into a cohesive system rather than fragmented point solutions. The product portfolio spans multiple service pillars: Microsoft Managed Services (including SmartCheck assessments), Cyber Security (powered by the HIDDEN framework), IT Managed Services, Customer Experience Platforms, Unified Communications, Connectivity, Mobile, and AI readiness services. Supporting these is the AIME methodology for continuous technology maturation and the Technology Performance Index (TPI) research tool for benchmarking. The company operates primarily in the UK SMB market, claiming 26 years of operation and over 6,100 customers nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Operating System Babble's proprietary methodology and approach that unifies a business's existing technology estate — connecting, protecting, and enabling performance — into a cohesive system rather than a fragmented patchwork. Targeted at UK SMB leaders with disparate technology stacks.
• Microsoft Managed Services Managed services covering Microsoft 365 environments, including optimization, security, and efficiency assessments such as the SmartCheck assessment for identifying overpayment. For UK SMBs using Microsoft 365 who need ongoing administration, optimization, and security.
• Cyber Security Security services powered by Babble's HIDDEN framework, addressing cyber threats and managing risk across the gaps between tools and platforms. Targeted at UK SMBs concerned about cyber risk and lacking in-house security depth.
• IT Managed Services Comprehensive IT management services for running business technology infrastructure, staffed by specialists across cyber, AI, Microsoft, communications, cloud, and customer experience disciplines. For UK SMBs needing operational day-to-day management of their IT estate.
• Customer Experience Platforms Platform services aimed at unifying and improving disconnected customer experience across multiple channels. For UK SMBs whose customer experience feels disconnected across touchpoints.
• Unified Communications Communications services that consolidate business communication tools and platforms, including cloud telephony. For UK SMBs seeking to unify their business communications.
• Connectivity Network connectivity services providing reliable infrastructure connections for businesses. For UK SMBs needing dependable business connectivity.
• Mobile Mobile services and solutions for business mobile fleet management and mobile worker support. For UK SMBs managing distributed workforces or mobile staff.
• AI Readiness Services AI readiness and implementation services helping businesses prepare their technology foundations for AI adoption and leverage AI investments. For UK SMBs whose technology foundations are not yet ready for AI deployment.
• PSTN Switch-off Support Advisory and migration services helping UK businesses transition away from legacy PSTN infrastructure ahead of the switch-off deadline. For SMBs with legacy telephony needing migration to cloud telephony alternatives.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• TalkTalk Business: Large UK business connectivity, UC, and broadband provider serving SMBs. Overlaps with Babble on connectivity and unified communications but at much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Vodafone Business UK: Major UK business mobile, connectivity, and UC provider. Comparable to Babble on mobile, connectivity, and unified communications for SMBs, though as a much larger generalist.
• BT Business: Incumbent UK business telecom and IT services provider. Competes with Babble across connectivity, UC, and managed IT for SMBs but offers a much broader portfolio including network infrastructure.

Regional players

• Pangea Connected: UK managed connectivity and IT services provider targeting SMBs. Directly comparable business model and customer segment to Babble.
• Exa Networks: UK-focused connectivity and managed services provider. Comparable to Babble on connectivity and SMB-focused managed services in the UK market.

Direct peers

• Six Degrees Group: UK cloud and managed services provider with a portfolio spanning connectivity, UC, and cloud hosting. Overlaps with Babble on managed IT, connectivity, and unified communications.
• Redcentric: UK managed services and connectivity provider offering cloud, networking, and managed IT to mid-market and enterprise. Comparable business model and UK-centric focus to Babble.
• ANS Group: UK managed cloud and IT services provider serving mid-market and enterprise. Comparable to Babble on Microsoft-centric managed services and cloud transformation.
• Trustmarque: UK IT managed services and software asset management provider. Comparable to Babble in serving UK organizations with Microsoft licensing, IT management, and managed services.
• Daisy Communications: UK-based managed services and unified communications provider serving SMB and mid-market customers. Directly comparable to Babble across connectivity, UC, and IT managed services in the UK.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/babblecloud
• Instagraminstagram.com/babblecloud
• Xx.com/ConcertNetworks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Concert Networks