New era of leadership and growth for Advantex

Dave O’Connell is excited to lead Advantex into a new chapter of growth

North East tech and security solutions specialist Advantex Network Solutions, has announced plans to move forward under the sole leadership of Dave O’Connell, co-founder and one of the cornerstones of the business’s success for the past two decades. Founded in 2002 by brothers Dave and Steve O’Connell, Advantex has built a strong reputation as a trusted partner, supporting businesses, manufacturers, education and hospitality providers and local authorities across the region and beyond.

The move comes as the Follingsby Park-based company, which is a leading integrator of IT, communications, and IP security solutions including cybersecurity, data networks, and IP camera and access control systems, has seen sales revenues double in 2024 on the back of work secured from the manufacturing, hospitality and education sectors. Projects for SeAH Winds, AESC, Hitachi, Sirus Group, Advance Learning Partnership and Newcastle International Airport together with a loyal customer base, see the business start the new year poised for further strong growth and a commitment to innovation and customer success through investment in services and industry talent.

Tailored and innovative solutions
Following an impressive 46% growth in team size over the past 18 months, the company plans to build on the 20-plus years of expertise in FY25 and into FY26 with recruitment for a raft of additional engineering, business support, sales and operations roles. Developing and expanding the business further, Dave O’Connell’s vision and leadership together with the management team, will ensure that Advantex not only upholds its legacy of delivering tailored and innovative solutions but also expands its footprint in the sector.

He said: “Throughout our journey, we have built Advantex on the foundations of technical excellence and an unwavering commitment to our customers’ success. The significant growth we have achieved, particularly over the last 18 months, demonstrates the strength of our business model and the exceptional capabilities of our team.

“As we move forward, we are in a prime position to accelerate our growth plans, with a robust pipeline, strong financial performance, and most importantly, a talented team of 70 professionals who share our vision for innovation and service excellence. Our commitment to expanding our workforce and capabilities reflects our confidence in the opportunities ahead, and I am excited to lead Advantex into this next chapter of growth.”