PHS Datashred Acquires Shred Easy

PHS Datashred, the confidential data destruction division of the £400 million PHS Group, has acquired Manchester business, Shred Easy, to service their increasing number of professional services clients in Manchester. The company now has 14 destruction centres nationally.

Each year, identity fraud in the UK costs more than £2.7bn and affects over 1.8m people, according to recent figures from the National Fraud Authority (NFA). The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) now has the power to impose fines of up to £500,000 to businesses and organisations that are guilty of serious breaches of the Data Protection Act.

Anthony Pearlgood, commercial director of PHS Datashred, said: "Data destruction is a real growth sector and as such we are expanding our business to cope with the rise in demand and in particular more stringent Data Protection Act regulations. We've been aware of the growth of the Shred Easy business for some time and were impressed with their strong customer relations, high service levels and expertise."

Alan O'Brien, former chief executive of Shred Easy, said: "This acquisition is the culmination of 10 years work, building the reputation and client base of the business with my partner Jim Watson. We've had many acquisition approaches over the years but we've resisted them all. With PHS Datashred we've finally found the right company that has similar values to our own and, as a bigger national player, they will be able to build on our work."

Helen Amos