Reseller Data Direct comes under new ownership

Entrepreneur Keith O’Loughlin takes over with an eye on the UK market

Trade

Keith O'Loughlin

Chairman of JKO Capital and founder of the Eddie Jordan Foundation Keith O’Loughlin has acquired reseller Data Direct for an undisclosed sum.

Data Direct has tier one status with Ireland, UK, and global main distributors, meaning it is not linked to any one brand and can supply any product, and any brand at the lowest pricing.

Managing director Stephen Campbell will step down as part of a planned retirement, while O’Loughlin will assume the role of executive chairman. The company will maintain its Dublin headquarters.

Founded in 1993, Data Direct’s clients include BDO, Eason’s, Harvey Norman, Dublin Airport Authority, Actavo, Beacon Hospital, Allianz, Zurich, Murphy Engineering, and the Central Bank of Ireland. With deep supplier relationships – including with HP, Dell EMC, Apple, and Microsoft – and a legacy built on personal service, the company has consistently punched above its weight in the competitive IT market.

“Data Direct is one of the quiet backbones of Irish enterprise – a company with nearly four decades of heritage and an exceptional client roster. When Stephen decided to retire, I saw an opportunity to take a respected brand and invest in its next chapter. The company has an excellent reputation and provides an IT concierge service to corporates allowing their IT staff to concentrate on more value-added activity. We will retain its customer-first ethos but modernise the offering to ensure we serve the next generation of IT needs with even greater excellence,” said O’Loughlin.

O’Loughlin co-founded JKO Capital with Formula One legend Eddie Jordan to support a £3 billion bid for Playtech in 2022. He has business interests in pharmaceuticals, AI, mobility, sports betting, gaming and owns a bike brand.

“This acquisition is not just a leadership change,” said O’Loughlin, “it represents the start of a bold evolution for a legacy brand, one that is uniquely positioned to serve both the present and future demands of Irish and UK businesses.”

TechCentral Reporters

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