AppSense powering ahead says founder

FOR Charles Sharland, chairman of AppSense it’s not a question of if, but when the software business he founded a decade ago becomes “one of the most important IT companies on the planet”.

With plans to list the Daresbury-based business on Wall Street in the next two years and with multi-million pound investment already in the bag from Goldman Sachs, AppSense is clearly one of the most exciting businesses in this country, let alone the North West.

Revenues are expected to grow 50% this year to around £54m after  a 39% hike to £28.9m in 2009-10. Ebitda more than doubled in 2010 to £4.3m. 

AppSense is a pioneer of a technology called user virtualisaton software – which allows uses to log-in to their work desktop from a variety of devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops.

The firm works across all the major software systems and with the major players in the IT market including CSC, Dell and HP.

Sharland told TheBusinessDek.com: “It used to be that the user was told what to do by the IT department, but now the user is making the demand on the IT department, which is having to deliver functionality and support across an array of different devices, typically bought by the individual rather than the corporate.”

Sharland, or Charlie as he is known, admits that even he has been taken aback by the growth rate of the business, which has bases in the US and Germany and a sales office in Australia.

“We have come up with a truly disruptive technology and the potential is enormous. To be where we are now five years ago would have been beyond our wildest dreams – we are a true global leader and are un-matched in what we do.”

He is aware though, that in such a fast-moving sector, AppSense can’t afford to rest on its laurels: “I think we have a 500m or 1,000m start in a 5,000m race – we could lose our lead but we shouldn’t.

“We need to maintain our momentum and deliver for our customers.” 

The company. which already has  a New York office, has just opened a development centre on the West Coast of the US in Santa Clara, to complement, not replace the 100-person strong development team at Daresbury.

“Of course the US is a key market for us and we are a business which is expanding quickly, but we are always recruiting for top quality people here as well,” he said.

He describes AppSense as a “unique” business, not only in what it does, but in its culture. This he says is “one of great attitude and competitive spirit.”

Originally from High Wycombe Sharland, 50, moved to the North West 20 years with work. He has no plans to leave his adopted home for the US.

He was recently named the top North West entrepreneur after winning Ernst & Young’s much-coveted competition.

He says the business has a developed a concept called ‘the killer moves’ to ensure its success. These are: ensuring customer satisfaction by providing high quality support  and nurturing relationships with the key software vendors.