Ovum and Informa Telecoms & Media merge research businesses

Research firms Ovum and Informa Telecoms and Media (ITM) are to merge under the Ovum brand and create what they claim to be the world’s largest telecoms industry research firm.

The two analyst houses, both subsidiaries of publishing and events firm Informa (also parent of Telecoms.com), embarked on a multi-million pound investment programme following their merger. The programme sees the two firms combine their complementary product portfolios and create 23 new or improved services spanning the telecoms, IT and media sectors.

They added that their merger will also create the world’s fourth largest technology analyst house and will offer access to the most comprehensive telecoms market data globally. A state of the art online delivery platform will be introduced to enable access to its research. Steve Hotham, current MD of Ovum, will become the merged entity’s CEO.

“We are experiencing a time of tremendous change in the telecoms, IT and media sectors, with convergence reshaping markets and creating major new business opportunities and challenges,” he said.

“Our customers need a research firm with deep insight into each of these markets 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.”

The businesses will be fully integrated by the end of May 2014 and will be spread over 23 offices in six continents. It will employ 275 staff including 180 analysts.

Ian Charlesworth will become MD for Ovum’s IT research and Tim Jennings IT chief research officer with immediate effect. Martin Hill becomes MD for Ovum’s telecoms and media research, while Mark Newman will take on the role as telecoms and media chief research officer. Richard Mahony has been appointed research director for telecoms and media and Rob Gallagher as research director for entertainment research.