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Matthew Riley

Founder & Chairman

Daisy Group

London, UK

Matthew Riley

Rigby Group plc

Matthew Riley’s Biography

Matthew Riley is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Daisy Group, a leading UK provider of integrated business communications and IT solutions. Daisy serves a wide client base, from small offices and SMEs to public sector organisations. Its recently announced merger with Virgin Media O2 Business will, once approved, unite two complementary operations, creating a major force in UK business communications under Matthew’s leadership.

Serving hundreds of thousands of customers, the combined entity will leverage Daisy’s end-to-end IT and sales platforms and award-winning service with Virgin Media O2’s next-gen fibre and mobile infrastructure. Together, they will deliver a comprehensive solution for the evolving needs of UK organisations.

Having left school at 16, Matthew founded Daisy in 2001. Headquartered in Nelson, Lancashire, he grew it from a start-up into a telecom leader. In 2007, he received Ernst & Young’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year and the NatWest Business of the Year award.

Under his leadership, Daisy completed over 50 acquisitions, listed on AIM in 2009, and returned... Matthew Riley is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Daisy Group, a leading UK provider of integrated business communications and IT solutions. Daisy serves a wide client base, from small offices and SMEs to public sector organisations. Its recently announced merger with Virgin Media O2 Business will, once approved, unite two complementary operations, creating a major force in UK business communications under Matthew’s leadership.

Serving hundreds of thousands of customers, the combined entity will leverage Daisy’s end-to-end IT and sales platforms and award-winning service with Virgin Media O2’s next-gen fibre and mobile infrastructure. Together, they will deliver a comprehensive solution for the evolving needs of UK organisations.

Having left school at 16, Matthew founded Daisy in 2001. Headquartered in Nelson, Lancashire, he grew it from a start-up into a telecom leader. In 2007, he received Ernst & Young’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year and the NatWest Business of the Year award.

Under his leadership, Daisy completed over 50 acquisitions, listed on AIM in 2009, and returned to private ownership in 2015. In 2018, Matthew led Daisy’s £1.6bn acquisition by a consortium, resuming his role as Chairman to shape its long-term strategy.

Beyond Daisy, Matthew has held influential roles including Chairman of TimeOut, Executive Chairman of Damovo, and Non-Executive Director at Tialis Essential IT PLC.

He has advised both public and private equity-backed firms, earning recognition in the UK’s tech and investment sectors. In 2012, he received the Outstanding Contribution Award at the Comms National Awards and appeared as an interviewer on BBC’s The Apprentice.

Matthew is committed to social impact, supporting youth entrepreneurship and digital inclusion. A Fellow of The King’s Trust, he mentors young entrepreneurs and has backed charitable causes, including donating meals to vulnerable families. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Matthew Riley’s Newsfeed

The Business Desk

Rainmakers exclusive: Matthew Riley opens up about O2 Virgin Media deal

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UC Today

Matthew Riley is Ready for the ‘Massive Opportunity’ in Daisy Group’s Virgin Media O2 Merger

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Matthew Riley’s Background

Daisy Group

Founder & Chairman

Sep 2001 - Present

Lancaster, UK

Daisy Group provides expertly tailored IT, communications, and cloud solutions for mid-sized to large enterprises with intricate infrastructure requirements. With an emphasis on resilience and continuity, it is essential in helping businesses navigate the complexities of digital transformation.

Giacom

Founder & Chairman

Sep 2006 - Present

London, UK

Giacom provides a cloud distribution platform that enables IT resellers to easily deliver and manage solutions from providers like Microsoft, Bitdefender, and Acronis. Their user-friendly Cloud Market system simplifies access to and management of cloud services, empowering small and medium-sized enterprises to enhance their digital capabilities.

Matthew Riley’s Gallery

Current Board Positions

Tialis Essential IT

Non-Executive Director

London, UK

Tialis Essential IT PLC is a managed services provider, focusing on end-user device management, on-site support, and comprehensive IT lifecycle solutions for both enterprise and public sector clients.

Previous Board Positions

TimeOut

Non-Executive Director

May 2017 - May 2021

London, UK

TimeOut began as a magazine in London in 1968 and has since transformed into a global media and hospitality brand that showcases the best urban experiences worldwide. Today, it functions as a digital platform, providing expert recommendations on dining, events, and culture to help both locals and travellers make the most of their city experiences.

TimeOut

Chairman | Audit & Remuneration Committees

May 2017 - May 2021

London, UK

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Media

Daisy Group

News

Read all the Daisy Group News here.

Awards & Recognition

Information Communication & Technology Credit Forum (ICT)

Awarded | Outstanding Achievement Award (Daisy Group)

Jan 2019

London, UK

The Information Communication & Technology (ICT) Credit Forum is a collaborative platform for professionals in credit, collections, risk management, and fraud prevention within the ICT sector. Its main objective is to provide members with practical tools and insights to navigate the changing business landscape effectively.

Comms National Awards (CNA)

Awarded | Lifetime Achievement Award (Daisy Group)

Jan 2017

London, UK

The Comms National Awards (CNA), organised by BPL Business Media, is a highly regarded annual event in the UK's ICT sector that recognises outstanding performance among resellers, vendors, and service providers offering innovative communications solutions.

City AM Awards

Awarded | Dealmaker of the Year | Daisy Group

Jan 2012

London, UK

The City A.M. Awards are a prestigious annual event that honours excellence in London's business community, particularly in the Square Mile and Canary Wharf. Launched in 2010 by City A.M., a leading business newspaper, the awards recognise remarkable achievements and contributions from companies and individuals across diverse sectors.

The Sunday Times Tech Track 100

Awarded

Nov 2005

London, UK

The Sunday Times 100 Tech is an annual ranking that highlights the fastest-growing private technology companies in Britain, assessing them based on their compound annual revenue growth over the previous three years.

Ernst & Young | Entrepreneur Of The Year Award

Awarded | Daisy Group

Jan 2007

London, UK

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award is a globally renowned program that celebrates outstanding entrepreneurial talent. The award shines a spotlight on a wide range of entrepreneurial excellence—from visionary founders who have built companies from scratch, to dynamic CEOs driving transformative change, and innovative leaders evolving multigenerational family enterprises.

Bank of Scotland | Corporate Entrepreneur Challenge

Inaugural Winner | Daisy Group

Jan 2007

Edinburgh, UK

The Entrepreneur Challenge, a nationwide initiative by the Bank of Scotland, sought to discover and nurture the UK's most promising business talent. In collaboration with The Sunday Times, the competition provided regional winners with interest-free funding of up to £5 million over three years, empowering them to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into concrete business plans.

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Charitable Interests

The King's Trust

Fellow

London, UK

The King’s Trust, established by King Charles III (previously known as The Prince's Trust), empowers young people around the world by equipping them with skills, training, and opportunities to create brighter futures.

Matthew Riley’s Education

SS John Fisher & Thomas More Catholic Primary School

1985 - 1990