Virgin Media O2 and Daisy Group Unite to Create £1.4bn UK B2B Communications Powerhouse

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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Virgin Media O2 and Daisy Group Set to Change UK B2B Communications

In a bold move shaking up the business communications sector, Virgin Media O2 and Daisy Group are joining forces to create a giant that could pull in £1.4 billion a year. This new B2B comms player is aiming to be a go-to provider for everything from traditional business connectivity to the latest Virgin Media O2 tech innovations.

The new company is not just another merger on paper. Virgin Media O2 will take a strong lead with a 70% ownership while Daisy Group will keep a sizable 30% stake. Leadership-wise, Daisy’s founder Matthew Riley is stepping in as chairman, while Jo Bertram, who currently runs Virgin Media O2 Business, is set to become CEO. If all goes as planned and the regulators give the nod, you’ll see this business up and running by the second half of 2025.

Both companies are keeping their names, for now, and sticking to their current offices. Don’t expect a sudden rebrand. Their model is to make the most of each other’s strengths. That means Virgin Media O2 flexing its muscle with massive fibre networks and mobile infrastructure, while Daisy brings deep IT expertise and cloud services into the mix. The plan is to go far beyond phones and internet connections, offering smart solutions in IoT, private 5G networks, and AI-powered systems like O2 Motion. They’re also promising serious value for customers—think better deals and more innovative services with the combined firepower.

Shaking Up the UK Business Tech Landscape

This isn’t just about scale; it’s about efficiency. By teaming up, Virgin Media O2 and Daisy say they can trim about £600 million in costs. That’ll come from merging systems, reducing duplication, and likely cutting some overlapping roles. And let’s be real—whenever there’s a big company merger, some jobs are almost certainly on the line. Employees in similar departments will be watching closely as the consolidation unfolds.

Daisy Group has shown a knack for aggressive growth since launching in 2001. Over the years, it’s picked up rivals and expanded its service offering—most recently merging Daisy Corporate Services with Wavenet earlier this year. Virgin Media O2, meanwhile, already packs a punch with nationwide fibre broadband, reliable mobile coverage, and a deep roster of enterprise clients. Together, they’ll cover small businesses, major corporations, and the public sector, pushing ‘digital-first’ solutions for a modern, managed IT world.

What’s in it for their customers? There’s a promise of smoother, more secure, and more connected work environments. Businesses big and small could soon access ultrafast connectivity, powerful cloud-based systems, custom private 5G, and data-driven insights for everything from logistics to customer flow through AI platforms.

But the path to joining these two big players won’t be obstacle-free. Apart from regulatory approvals, the headache of blending cultures, systems, and workforces could slow things down or create friction. Still, if they pull it off, Virgin Media O2 and Daisy Group’s merger could mark a new era in how UK businesses stay connected, competitive, and future-ready.