Singtel’s NCS to buy Australian cloud company

NCS, Singtel’s information, communications, and tech services unit, said it will acquire a majority stake in Eighty20 Solutions for an undisclosed sum as it looks to scale its operations into the Australian market.

Photo credit: NCS

The deal will help NCS Next, the digital services unit of NCS, support Australian clients in cloud technology, business applications, workplace modernization, and managed services. Eighty20’s offerings across Microsoft cloud platforms will add to the capabilities of NCS Next and its portfolio of cloud services in Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services.

Eighty20 specializes in cloud transformation with a client portfolio in the financial services, energy, government, healthcare, IT, manufacturing, and retail industries. It has worked with firms such as Woolworths, Suncorp, TPG, Boral, and the New South Wales Department of Education.

Following the acquisition, Eighty20 will run independently under NCS, with the cloud transformation firm’s employees continuing in their current roles within its companies. Meanwhile, Eighty20 founders John Kelly and Justin Rees will hold a minority stake in the business.

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“[The acquisition] allows us to leverage the scale, technical depth, and geographic footprint of NCS, whilst continuing our mission to deliver tier-one consulting services with a boutique feel,” said Kelly.

Eighty20 also said that the acquisition will create 500 new digital jobs in Australia. Currently, the company has a team of 120 employees across strategy, project delivery, technical execution, organizational change and adoption, and managed services.