Acquisitive managed services provider First Focus buys Gold Coast’s Tech Help Direct

Acquisitive managed service provider First Focus has acquired Gold Coast counterpart Tech Help Direct as the Sydney-based company doubles its Queensland footprint to include one of Australia’s fastest-growing markets.

Tech Help Direct, which was established in 2011, has a strong Apple focus that leverages company founder Daniel Herr’s experience as a former technical expert with Apple and before that with Telstra.

The Gold Coast company supports businesses, schools and organisations with Apple device management, IT support, consulting and workflow integration.

First Focus says the acquisition reinforces the company’s commitment to expanding the scope and reach of its services.

It also follows the company’s acquisition of another Apple specialist, eStorm, in a deal that settled in January last year. The Brisbane-based eStorm at the time was the fourth purchase by First Focus since 2020 and part of a national expansion by the group.

The company added Canberra IT solutions provider Cool Chilli to its stable earlier this year, before securing the latest deal for Tech Help Direct.

First Focus has made no secret of plans to expand further with the company revealing it is actively exploring other acquisitions across the country.

“At First Focus, we talk about having everything our customers need, everywhere they need it,” says Ross Sardi, CEO of First Focus.

“This (acquisition) further deepens our Apple specialisation following the purchase of eStorm four years ago and takes us to another place our clients need us to be – the sunny Gold Coast, one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities.”

Tech Help Direct has built a reputation for delivering Apple-focused support to businesses across the Gold Coast.

Its team will remain in place under the First Focus brand, ensuring continuity of service for existing customers while tapping into greater resources and national capability.

“After observing the significant growth First Focus has achieved and gaining insight into their company culture and strategic approach to acquisitions, it was clear that they offered the right mix of talent and services to complement our own,” says First Focus founder Daniel Herr.

“A key factor in the decision was their recognition of Tech Help Direct’s specialised expertise in Apple technologies, a capability that aligns well with their broader service offering.

“This move enables us to continue delivering the high standards we’re known for, while leveraging First Focus’s national infrastructure, expanded capabilities, and deep technical expertise across a wider range of platforms.”

First Focus is a managed service provider for mid-market organisations, delivering end-to-end IT, cloud, security, connectivity, and communications solutions.

The company, which has more than 340 staff in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, says the acquisition will enable it to support the South-East Queensland region’s expanding business community with the local presence backed by national expertise.

The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s fastest-growing markets, with a population expected to surge from about 700,000 currently to hit one million residents by 2040.