Sophos business continues as usual after buyout

Security vendor Sophos has advised its Australian partners to expect "business as usual" following yesterday's announcement that private equity group Apax Partners had bought control of the security vendor.

Alongside Apax, existing shareholders will retain stakes in the business including founders Dr Jan Hruska and Dr Peter Lammer, who will retain a significant minority shareholding in the business and their positions. 

Sophos head of technology Asia Pacific, Paul Ducklin (pictured) has confirmed with CRN that under the agreement, existing senior management teams and rules of engagement with partners remain unchanged.

"The great difference is that for customers and partners there is no difference," he said.

"We remain committed to dealing directly with our partners, not working via distributors and scrupulously passing back renewal business."

Ducklin said the buyout places the former privately-owned company in a "much better position" to "accelerate our innovation, broaden our offering, and underpin our aggressive growth plans".

Previously, Sophos was considering floating the company on the NASDAQ.

"We haven't had an IPO, which tends to stifle velocity. And importantly, we're not being acquired buy an organisation that wants us to camp together with them.

"But, what we do have now is capital for growth. For partners - watch this space for exciting new products," he said.

TA Associates, a Sophos minority shareholder since 2002, will sell its full interest to Apax Partners.