Cloud2 looks ahead despite ‘challenging year’

AN IT company that has doubled its staff over the last 12 months is aiming for further growth after winning a number of contracts in London.

Bradford-based Cloud2 is working with six NHS trusts in the capital: King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, and NHS South West London.

The company is a leading UK partner for Microsoft’s SharePoint technology which is used by companies to help people to work together by sharing information through websites.

Taran Sohal, a director at Cloud2, said despite the NHS being a major victim of the Government’s public sector austerity measures, the business was in good shape. It now employs 15 staff.

Mr Sohal, who runs the business with fellow director Simon Hudson, admitted that 2011 had been challenging year and said Cloud2 had diversified its offering as a consequence of economic conditions.

Cloud2 now offers its services to private sector clients rather than solely public sector ones but the health sector remains its major source of revenue.

“Our strategy is still to mainly concentrate on the health sector and we’re the number one Microsoft SharePoint provider in the country,” Mr Sohal said.

“But at some time it’s always sensible to have other areas of business.”

Mr Sohal said Cloud2 had also been boosted after winning a major prize at Venturefest Yorkshire earlier this year.

Cloud2 exhibited alongside other businesses at Venturefest’s ‘Innovation Showcase’ and was named the firm with the best growth potential.

It won a prize valued at £16,000, including mentoring support from The Alternative Board, office space, accountancy, legal and PR support.

“Venturefest was a really interesting event and we got a lot out of it,” Mr Sohal said.

He also praised the help subsequently offered by The Alternative Board.