Kingston Communications, which is part-owned by Hull City Council, has bought IT consultancy Smart421 for £24m.

Smart421 specialises in integrating business applications and has blue-chip clients, including O2, Norwich Union and UPC. It has been bought by Kingston Communications to complement its Affiniti sub-division. In the year ending 30 June, Smart421 recorded a turnover of £11.1m and a profit before tax of £1.5m.