US-based Integris acquires First Focus to bring stronger AI capability

CEOs Ross Sardi and Rashaad Bajwa speak to CRN Australia about the new deal and what it means for both brands.

US-based MSP Integris has completed a slew of acquisitions to bolster its international expansion, one of those being well-known Aussie MSP, First Focus.

First Focus founder Peter Paddon will remain a significant shareholder in the combined entity, while CEO Ross Sardi and the existing executive team will continue to lead the business in the ANZ region and become Integris’ chief innovation officer.

Speaking to CRN Australia, Integris CEO Rashaad Bajwa and First Focus CEO Ross Sardi explain what brought about this deal.

Buying First Focus wasn’t random, Bajwa said he has been watching First Focus become a “leading” SMB-focused MSP with 15 acquisitions to date.

“Their CEO [Sardi] has been a leading voice in our industry of how MSPs can help their clients benefit from and leverage AI in their businesses. As our new chief innovation officer, he will be responsible for bringing those solutions to a global SMB stage,” he said.

Sardi said First Focus has "gone from being the number one MSP in Australia and New Zealand to helping create a true global MSP”.

“This isn’t us joining something bigger, it’s us building it. It also gives us the ability to increase our growth in the region, both organically and through further acquisitions,” he commented.

Both Sardi and Bajwa stress that there will be no staff changes to First Focus.

Bajwa explained, “Although we will at some point come together under the Integris brand, First Focus will be our platform for servicing ANZ so all the great people taking care of First Focus clients will remain exactly as they are.

“That being said, there will be 800 additional global resources available to First Focus customers for a wider menu of capabilities and services.”

Sardi added that “nothing changes where it matters”.

“Same team, same service, but now backed by deeper capability and a broader reach, especially in areas like AI, security, and global support,” he said.

Opportunities in Australia

Looking at the Australian market, Bajwa said the commercial need for AI and IT services is virtually identical to what we they in the United States.

“However, the consolidation of a fragmented MSP market is probably three to five years behind the US,” he said.

“As the leading consolidator in Australia, the First Focus acquisition gives us the perfect platform on which to build even more resources for our Australian customers and staff.

He added, “The regulatory environment in Australia, with things like mandatory cybersecurity insurance, also lends itself to influence businesses to mature their IT practices and use an experienced provider like First Focus or Integris instead of struggling to manage AI and IT themselves.”

Integris and First Focus will continue to work in banking, FSI, legal, healthcare and manufacturing.

Bajwa said Integris’ goal is to bring additional resources to their customers without changing the offerings that First Focus had in Australia and New Zealand.

“With over 1200 staff across the globe we will be able to provide 24/7 follow-the-sun cybersecurity and IT support along with access to a team of inhouse specialists in virtually all facets of AI, automation, data warehousing, IT and cybersecurity,” he said.

In the first year, Bajwa said he wants a "successful integration under one brand to accelerate our AI offerings and continued M&A”.

For Sardi, he said they’re building the global MSP for the AI era.

“The focus is on combining scale with real execution, investing ahead of the curve, and setting the standard for what great looks like in this next phase of the industry,” he said.

Sardi at First Focus said at the end of the day, this acquisition is about people.

“The reason this works is strong cultural alignment and a shared mindset about how to build a great business, so we can grow without losing what makes our teams and customer relationships special,” he ended.

The acquisition of First Focus is still subject to regulatory approval.