Fluid, a technology consultancy, has completed a management buyout which sees the appointment of three new shareholders and founder and MD, Gareth Murphy, stepping into the role of CEO.
The three new directors are existing members of Leeds-based Fluid’s senior leadership team. This includes IT transformation director, Jason Lock; technology director, Michael McCarthy; and commercial director, Alex Pidgeon.
Fluid offers a range of technology and consultancy services to clients across the UK.
Its 19-strong team of full-time and associate staff works on all enterprise level IT projects and business critical systems. Clients include Bettys and Taylors Group, Key Capital Partners and Outdo.
Murphy co-founded the business in 2013 and underwent a previous management buyout in 2023, where he took full control and split from the enterprise resource planning (ERP) arm of the company.
He now retains a 33 per cent stake in the business, with the rest of the shares in the hands of the three new directors, with a wider pool of shares available for future management.
He said: “I am incredibly excited for this next chapter for Fluid and proud to welcome three key members of the senior leadership team into director positions. Commitment is at the core of everything we do, and this move will solidify that.
“When I bought out our previous shareholders to pursue the Fluid we have today, it was always my goal to put it back in the hands of its people.
“I am very proud to have reached that milestone and hope we can welcome more of our leaders to the fold in future as we continue to grow. Our people are our greatest asset, and they have helped us to achieve every success that we have had to date.
“I want to reassure our clients and partners that day-to-day operations will not change. We hope this move will allow us to provide an even more tailored and personal service.”
Alex Pidgeon, who joined the firm in 2022 as a business development manager, added: “We have always felt the success of each project is our own personal success, so I am happy to formalise that and join Gareth as a shareholder and director of Fluid.
“I am excited for this next chapter and to further support the company in its growth and service offering for our clients.”
