Celerity appoints David Stokes to drive IBM M&A push
Celerity has appointed former IBM executive David Stokes as an advisor to its board, focusing on acquisition opportunities and the company's relationship with IBM.
Stokes previously served as General Manager for IBM's Partner Ecosystem in EMEA. He will work with Chief Executive Craig Aston on potential mergers and acquisitions in the UK and Europe. His remit also includes closer collaboration with IBM, including initiatives linked to IBM's watsonx AI and data platform.
M&A focus
The appointment comes as Celerity accelerates expansion plans after several years of growth, including acquisitions. The company operates in hybrid cloud and IT managed services, and provides cybersecurity, data protection, and data visualisation services.
Founded in 2002, Celerity took investment from growth capital investor BGF in 2021. Since then, it has expanded service lines, developed partnerships, and completed acquisitions that it describes as complementary to its core business.
Management is signalling a continued appetite for dealmaking. Stokes' experience in partner-led technology sales and alliances across EMEA is expected to influence how Celerity assesses targets and integrates acquired businesses into its operating model.
IBM partnership
Celerity has an established partner relationship with IBM and earlier this month was named Most Successful IBM Business Partner - Select Segment for 2025.
IBM positions its watsonx portfolio as a set of products for AI and data work in enterprise environments. Stokes will focus on that area as Celerity develops AI and data projects delivered through managed services and hybrid cloud deployments.
Hybrid cloud remains central for many IT services providers, reflecting the mix of on-premises systems and public cloud platforms across large organisations. Managed services providers often compete on their ability to run and secure these environments, while meeting governance and data protection requirements.
Scale and staffing
Celerity reports turnover of more than £40 million and employs 100 people. It says its clients include organisations modernising critical infrastructure and reviewing resilience across IT operations and cybersecurity.
Demand in the market has been shaped by tighter risk management expectations and rising security threats. At the same time, more businesses are testing how AI tools can be applied across operations, raising questions around data access, model governance, and security controls.
Aston described the appointment as part of a growth plan that includes further acquisitions and an emphasis on capacity. "David is the perfect addition to our business as I, along with the rest of the board, look to capitalise on the scale of opportunity for Celerity right now. We've experienced several years of strong growth and made acquisitions which have boosted our capabilities and capacity. David's experience will help to position us for the next steps in our growth strategy," he said.
Stokes linked the company's prospects to customer priorities such as operational resilience and the day-to-day adoption of AI. "Celerity is an impressive business with a highly capable board and exceptional potential. The business has cultivated a culture with the perfect conditions to scale to the next level. As businesses prioritise operational resilience and embed AI into their operations, Celerity is the ideal partner for enterprise clients looking for AI-enabled IT and cyber managed services to help them achieve this," he said.
The appointment puts M&A and alliances at the centre of Celerity's next phase, as it scans the UK and European markets for targets while deepening technical and commercial work tied to IBM's watsonx platform.