Key Digital attracts investment from Franking Sense

By Key Digital

17 Mar 2023

Daniel Gilbert, Andy Ratcliffe, Julian Gilbert.jpg.jpg

It has been announced that Franking Sense has acquired managed services provider Key Digital to facilitate its growth strategy.

The venture fits well together as both are family-run businesses that are locally born but operate fully nationwide, with Key Digital's operating centre in Burnley and Franking Sense being headed up in Bolton.

Andy Ratcliffe, managing director of Key Digital, said: "We have spent the last few years perfecting our digital-first operating model and that has allowed us to become a nationwide sales and support business.

"Where many competitors have shrunk or gone out of business following the Covid-19 pandemic, we have beaten all expectations and flourished immensely in this time - and I can't see that stopping any time soon!

"With Franking Sense's help we will be able to accelerate our growth plans and maximise Key Digital's full potential."

Both firms offer both overlapping and complimentary services in the fields of document management and processing, managed print, IT services and mailroom solutions.

Julian Gilbert, Franking Sense's managing director said: "I was very intrigued by the way Key Digital operate. It is a very lean way of selling to and supporting customers.

"I am really looking forward to working with Andy and all the team at Key Digital, it is a really positive step forward for us both."

Key Digital will continue to run from its hub in Burnley under Ratcliffe's leadership.

Latest news

1

Lumo launches West Coast rail service with 100 jobs in Preston Lumo train in London and staff

Lumo launches West Coast rail service with 100 jobs in Preston

22 May 2026

2

Lancashire brings £20bn of investment opportunity to UKREiiF UKREiiF

Lancashire brings £20bn of investment opportunity to UKREiiF

22 May 2026

3

Work begins on Blackpool’s Multiversity campus Multiversity in Blackpool

Work begins on Blackpool’s Multiversity campus

22 May 2026

4

New £8.7m Pleasure Beach ride opens to public Aviktas ride

New £8.7m Pleasure Beach ride opens to public

22 May 2026

5

Red Rose Awards winners gather to celebrate Lancashire business Red Rose Awards Winners Reception

Red Rose Awards winners gather to celebrate Lancashire business

21 May 2026

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Funding Summit
Funding Logo Canva Mid
Summit
17 Jun 2026

Funding Summit

Village Hotel Blackpool

08:30 - 11:00

LBV129 July/August Magazine Networking Event
Nov/Dec Networking Event
Networking
16 Jul 2026

LBV129 July/August Magazine Networking Event

Brysdales, Britannia Buildings Drumhead Road, Chorley, PR6 7BX

16:00 - 18:00

LBV130 September/October Magazine Networking Event
Jan/Feb Networking Event - Entrance
Networking
17 Sep 2026

LBV130 September/October Magazine Networking Event

The Beehive Blackburn, Shadsworth Business Park, BB1 2Q

08:30 - 10:30

LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event
Jan/ Feb Networking Event - Talking
Networking
19 Nov 2026

LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event

Lancashire

08:30 - 10:30

Building a high-performance culture
business workshop.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
03 Jun 2026

Building a high-performance culture

Media Factory, University of Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:30 - 11:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – June
LBV Hub Networking
03 Jun 2026

Chamber Breakfast Networking – June

Pye Motors, Morecambe, LA3 3PE

08:00 - 10:00

Society1 Breakfast Social and Coworking Day
Breakfast Social June Facebook.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
04 Jun 2026

Society1 Breakfast Social and Coworking Day

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

09:00 - 17:00

Yellow Day 2026
LBV Hub Fundraisers
07 Jun 2026

Yellow Day 2026

St Catherine's Hospice, Preston, pr55xu

11:00 - 16:00

Opening doors and opportunity for Tech in Preston
PTC Square June (900 x 900 px)-2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
09 Jun 2026

Opening doors and opportunity for Tech in Preston

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Clubhouse Business Network sponsored by Orca Finance - June 2026
Padel Network.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
11 Jun 2026

Clubhouse Business Network sponsored by Orca Finance - June 2026

Clubhouse , Blackburn, BB1 3NT

14:00 - 16:00

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Header (33).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
18 Jun 2026

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Chamber Business Lunch
LBV Hub Networking
19 Jun 2026

Chamber Business Lunch

Lancaster House Hotel, Lancaster, LA1 4GL

11:00 - 14:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin