Hammond, a former Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, has extensive business experience and has been building and developing extremely successful enterprises for over 30 years. He was a director and Deputy Chairman of ADT Limited from 1989 to 1996 before leading a management buy-out of British Car Auctions, which was subsequently sold in 2006. Hammond was also Chairman of Carlisle Holdings, the leading outsourcing and facilities services company, from 1998-2007, and currently holds a number of other directorships.
Discussing his investment Hammond remarked, “These are very demanding times and it is vital that businesses have a strong management team and a clear strategy for maximising their business potential. I am delighted to have the opportunity to invest in such a progressive and exciting business as 802 Global. I believe that their wireless solutions will have a significant impact on the way organisations approach their security and communications, enabling faster, more flexible and more cost effective implementations.”
802 Global is a specialist value-added distributor, delivering a full range of quality services and support in the wireless, IP CCTV and voice over IP markets. They work with key channel partners including IT Value Added Resellers, CCTV installation companies, ISPs and telcos to develop innovative leading edge solutions. 802 Global also develop customised products tailored to meet the needs of the emergency services, first responders and the public safety market.
Commenting on the investment, Tim Close, Managing Director at 802 Global says, “In the current economic climate both private and public sector organisations are looking for cost-effective solutions to their security and communications challenges. By using wireless to address these needs 802 Global’s sales partners can provide easily deployed great value solutions that don’t need expensive and time-consuming leased-line installation, and do not have the associated disruptive road works. The new funding will enable us to capitalise on these opportunities and to invest in staff and other resources.”
Close continues, “802 Global has now entered a period of rapid growth. Already in 2009 we have gained significant orders to add to our substantial order book and have a very exciting product roadmap. Now we will be expanding our sales and marketing teams and accelerating those product development plans. The investment from David Hammond, with his extremely successful entrepreneurial background, demonstrates that 802 Global are a company with a great future. Having such a substantial equity investment at this stage of our development, positions us well not only to make the most of our current position as the market leader in wireless security and communications systems, but opens up additional funding options for the future which will allow us to fully realise our potential both in the UK and overseas.”