Switchshop has acquired Active Data Installations (ADI), a Milton Keynes-based specialist in structured data cabling, fibre optic infrastructure, and network installation services, with immediate effect. The acquisition brings ADI's team of accredited critical infrastructure engineers, including founders Mike Newbold and Dan Morphy, who together hold over 40 years of industry experience, directly into the Switchshop team.
Founded in 2007, Active Data Installations built a reputation over nearly two decades for delivering high-quality cabling and wireless infrastructure to clients across education, healthcare, commercial, and industrial sectors. ADI holds Constructionline Gold membership, and its engineers carry certifications including BICSI accreditation, the CNet Certified Network Infrastructure Design Professional (CNIDP), and the Advanced ECSE (Ekahau Certified Survey Engineer) qualification.
Together, Switchshop and Active Data now offer genuinely end-to-end infrastructure services: from the structured cabling in the wall to the cybersecurity strategy protecting the data that runs through it, all delivered and supported by one in-house team.
Why this acquisition matters
When organisations rely on multiple contractors for their network infrastructure, gaps in accountability are almost inevitable. The cabling team and the networking and cybersecurity team rarely talk to each other, and that fragmentation costs time, creates risk, and leaves problems unresolved.
That is exactly what this acquisition changes.
“Joining Switchshop is a natural next step for ADI. We’ve spent nearly 20 years building a reputation for quality and reliability across some of the most demanding environments in the UK.
Being part of a team that brings cybersecurity and managed IT alongside our cabling expertise means we can offer clients something genuinely comprehensive, not just the infrastructure, but the full picture.“
– Mike Newbold, Co-founder, Active Data Installations
“We’ve always believed the best infrastructure outcomes are delivered by organisations who understand the full stack, from the physical layer up to the security layer. Bringing Mike, Dan, and the ADI team in-house means our customers no longer have to manage that handoff between contractors, along with the risk it entails. It’s one team, one standard of accountability, and one point of contact.“
– James Curry, Switchshop
What this means for your organisation
Whether you are fitting out a new site, upgrading an existing network, or ensuring your infrastructure meets compliance requirements, you will now find every service under one roof:
- Structured data cabling installation
- Fibre optic infrastructure (single-mode and multimode)
- Network upgrades and expansions
- Data cabling maintenance and repair
- Server room and cabinet installations
- Network testing and certification
- Wireless networking, surveys, and Wi-Fi design
- Managed IT and cybersecurity services
This is particularly significant for organisations that have historically managed separate contracts for physical infrastructure and IT security, a common source of delays, cost overruns, and unresolved incidents.
Accredited, experienced cabling engineers, now in-house
The ADI team brings nearly two decades of field experience and a strong accreditation profile:
- BICSI-approved installers: a globally recognised benchmark for structured cabling quality
- CNet CNIDP: Certified Network Infrastructure Design Professional
- Advanced ECSE: Ekahau Certified Survey Engineer for enterprise Wi-Fi design
- Constructionline Gold member: independently verified for quality, health and safety, and financial stability
ADI’s engineers have delivered projects ranging from single-outlet installations in GP surgeries to full fibre backbone upgrades across NHS hospital sites, working alongside Cisco Gold partners and HPE Aruba Networking Platinum partners in the process.
Infrastructure solutions across key UK sectors
The combined Switchshop team works with organisations across multiple industries, each with specific operational demands and compliance requirements:
Education: Scalable, high-density network infrastructure for schools, colleges, and universities, designed to support thousands of concurrent connections and future growth without re-cabling.
Healthcare: Secure, resilient connectivity for clinical environments where uptime and data integrity are non-negotiable. ADI has extensive experience working across NHS and private healthcare sites.
Commercial offices: Structured cabling and wireless solutions that support modern workplaces, hot-desking, and hybrid working, including Microsoft Teams Rooms and collaboration environments.
Industrial and warehousing: Robust infrastructure built to perform in demanding physical environments, including high-bay warehouses, logistics hubs, and manufacturing facilities.
Testing and certification, because a network is only as good as what you can prove
Alongside installation, the Switchshop team provides comprehensive testing and certification services to validate that your infrastructure performs at the level your business depends on. This includes:
- Certification against TIA/ISO/IEC cabling standards
- Fault identification and pre-go-live validation
- Wireless performance and coverage verification
- Documented evidence to support compliance and long-term planning
Frequently asked questions
What does the acquisition of Active Data Installations mean for existing ADI clients?
Existing ADI clients will continue to receive the same high standard of service from the same engineers. The acquisition expands what ADI can offer, adding managed IT, cybersecurity, and enterprise networking capabilities from the Switchshop team.
Does Active Data Installations still exist as a brand?
ADI’s engineers and expertise now sit within the Switchshop Data Cabling team. For all new enquiries relating to data cabling, fibre optic infrastructure, or network installations, please contact Switchshop directly.
Where does the Switchshop infrastructure team operate?
The team is based in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire and serves clients across the UK.
What accreditations does the infrastructure team hold?
The team holds BICSI accreditation, CNet CNIDP, Advanced ECSE, and Constructionline Gold membership. Switchshop also holds Fortinet Public Sector Partner of the Year recognition, Acronis Education Partner of the Year and multiple HPE Aruba Partner of the Year awards.
Can Switchshop handle both the cabling and the networking and cybersecurity for a new site?
Yes. That end-to-end capability is precisely what this acquisition enables. A single Switchshop team can scope, install, test, certify, and secure your network infrastructure from day one.
