Advania strengthens legal, risk, and compliance expertise with smartvokat acquisition

Advania has acquired smartvokat GmbH, a German-based specialist in digital transformation for the legal, risk, and compliance community. The acquisition strengthens Advania's Transformation & Automation offering in Nordics, UK, and Ireland.

Across Europe, the new EU cybersecurity directive (NIS2) is being implemented into national law, but not everywhere at the same pace. Denmark and Finland have already completed the process, while Sweden and Ireland are in the final phase of preparing their legislation. Iceland and Norway, though not EU member states, will also implement the directive through the EEA. The UK is likewise updating its national cybersecurity framework to align with the core purpose of NIS2.

Advania UK has appointed James Hardy as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Geoff Kneen, who is stepping down after more than eight years with the company and a long career in the technology sector. Since entering the UK market in 2021, Advania has brought together Content+Cloud, Azzure IT, CCS Media, and Servium to form a unified business of 1,600 employees. The company is now among the largest IT services providers in the UK, with a strong platform to take the next step in its journey: helping more Mid-market clients simplify technology choices, unlock value, and succeed in an ever-changing environment.

Advania has acquired Gompute, a high-performance computing (HPC) and AI infrastructure platform, from Nordic data center services leader atNorth. The acquisition includes Gompute's skilled teams in Sweden and Spain, who will continue their work as part of Advania Sweden. This strengthens Advania Sweden's market position while enabling clients to meet strict data sovereignty requirements. The transaction is pending regulatory approval and is expected to close during the third quarter of 2025.

Why shadow AI use is the corporate risk no one wants to talk about.

You probably have employees using ChatGPT at work right now. They might be summarizing a contract, rewriting emails, or analyzing client data. Maybe they even paid for the subscription themselves.
It feels efficient. Productive. Smart.
It might also be illegal ...

• Led by renowned AI expert and ex-H&M AI chief Errol Norlum
• Adds proven expertise in enterprise AI transformation
• Enhances Advania's comprehensive AI services strategy

Advania today announced the acquisition of The AI Framework, a distinguished AI consultancy recognized for deep domain expertise and award-winning performance in AI transformation. The AI Framework brings proven expertise in AI-driven transformation, with a track record of helping retailers, telecoms, financial institutions and others navigate complex AI and digital transformation challenges. The consultancy emphasizes strategic value delivery through actionable roadmaps, responsible data governance, and scalable implementation models.

The allure of artificial intelligence can be overwhelming. With headlines promising revolutionary transformation and vendors showcasing impressive capabilities, many organizations find themselves rushing to adopt the latest AI tools without a clear roadmap. This approach, while understandable given competitive pressure, often leads to disappointing results and wasted investment. The most successful AI implementations follow a different path: strategy first, tools second.

Advania has officially opened the Dreamhouse — a landmark logistics and refurbishment facility designed to refurbish one million IT devices annually. Located in Enköping, Sweden, the Dreamhouse is now fully operational, powering public and private organizations with devices that have up to 70% lower carbon impact — yet are so powerful, users can’t tell the difference from brand-new ones.

Four fundamental shifts are reshaping how organisations operate, compete, and create value. Drawing from insights in our 2024 Annual Report, we explore how these forces are creating new opportunities and challenges – and why we're already building the solutions our customers need to thrive in this new landscape.

Note: This interview is featured in the 2024 Annual and Sustainability Report.

Fish, fuel, and fjord routes – Advania’s new tool is leading to cost-savings and sustainable choices for a Norwegian fishing industry giant Pelagia. "With this tool, we are saving double-digit percentages on fuel," says Frode Vatne, Chief Information Officer at Pelagia.

Advania has published its 2024 Annual and Sustainability Report, marking a year of strong progress in climate action, governance, and transparency. The company has chosen to align early with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)—well ahead of regulatory deadlines—demonstrating its commitment to clear, accountable, and forward-looking reporting.

Note: This interview is featured in the 2024 Annual and Sustainability Report.

Advania has had a year of remarkable growth. But unlike many IT companies that scale through centralisation, Advania has done the opposite – proving that local autonomy fuels success. In this conversation, Chairman Gestur Gestssonand CEO Hege Støre discuss how 'The Advania Way' drives expansion while staying true to its core values.