UKFast calls time on Sale Sharks deal
UKFAST, the Internet hosting company is calling time on its sponsorship of Aviva Premiership club Sale Sharks, a year early.
Founder and managing director Lawrence Jones told TheBusinessDesk.com that he needed to focus resources on growing his business.
UKFast, which has been involved with the club for more than a decade, initially as technology partner, working on its website and digital strategy, before becoming the title sponsor two years ago. The record deal, worth more than £1m, still has one year to run.
Mr Jones said he informed club bosses of his decision to end the relationship “several months” ago.
“I wish Sale all the best. The club is close to my heart and we have had some amazing experiences over the years. The time is right now for us to focus on the UKFast business. We are growing really quickly and are in the throes of investing heavily in data centres.
“We are opening our first this summer, and it’s nearly full already such is the demand, so we’re looking at another 100,000 sq ft of data centre space over the next three years, which is going to cost tens of millions of pounds.
“UKFast, despite its growth, is not a multi-national corporation with unlimited resources, and we need to focus on growth.”
Although stressing the decision was taken for business reasons, Mr Jones said he was concerned by some of the changes on and off the pitch at Edgeley Park in the last two years.
This summer Charlie Hodgson, arguably the club’s best player over the last five years, is leaving, along with some other senior squad members.
“I have enjoyed a close relationship with Charlie, so yes it’s sad to see him leave for another club, and I suppose it has made the decision easier,” Mr Jones added
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He said the departure of commercial director Nathan Bombrys for a role with the Scottish Rugby Union, had also been a set-back for Sale. He believes too that club owner Brian Kennedy also needs to invest more.
