People: Growth plans for Yorkshire Cloud as virtualDCS founders come on board; Promotions at Ward Hadaway; and more

Two founders of Leeds cloud computing provider virtualDCS have joined the board of growing Harrogate-based business the Yorkshire Cloud.

Richard May and John Murray, who were pioneers in the cloud computing field in the 1990s, will bring their industry knowledge and technical expertise to Yorkshire Cloud, which was set up by director Jonathan Edwards in 2012, and has grown rapidly to provide virtual desktop services for more than 350 desks for clients in Yorkshire and beyond.

Edwards said: “Yorkshire Cloud has enjoyed great success over the last five years and Richard and John joining the board demonstrates our intent to grow the business further. Their experience in this sector goes back many years and I’m sure they will both prove to be an integral part of our plans for evolution and expansion.”

John Murray, who joins Yorkshire Cloud as technical director, said: “With the threat of cyber crime growing every day, it’s essential that businesses in the region have a safe and secure IT system. This can often be difficult to achieve when using onsite infrastructure. Yorkshire Cloud’s new, state of the art cloud infrastructure gives customers the very best in terms of security, delivered and supported by our Yorkshire based team.”

May added: “We’ve watched Yorkshire Cloud’s growth over the past few years and are looking forward to working together. We share the same values on how we believe cloud computing should be delivered to businesses.”

Edwards initially set up Yorkshire Cloud because as an IT consultant he was unable to source cloud solutions for his small business clients.

“It seemed wrong that such a great technological advance, which can slash IT costs by 40 per cent and provide much greater flexibility and security, was being denied to many SMEs and that was why I designed and set up Yorkshire Cloud back in 2012,” he said.

“With our investment in new infrastructure, and Richard and John on the board, we are aiming to help lots more businesses in Yorkshire to access reliable and secure cloud services. We are already outgrowing our offices in Harrogate and will be looking to relocate to larger premises as well as recruiting for new technical, admin and sales staff in the coming months.”

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Two lawyers have been promoted to the position of associate at law firm Ward Hadaway.

Commercial lawyer Nathan Bilton provides advice on commercial arrangements and contracts, with particular experience in respect of ICT and education. He carries out work for clients including local authorities and other public sector bodies, PLCs, SMEs and entrepreneurs and acts for both suppliers and customers in respect of IT products and services.

Flora Mewies is an employment lawyer with experience of a wide variety of contentious and non-contentious employment issues including disciplinary and grievance issues, restructuring and redundancy exercises, TUPE issues, exit strategies and advising on settlement agreements. Flora also specialises in immigration advice to organisations and individuals.

Jamie Martin, managing partner at Ward Hadaway, said: “Our new associates all richly deserve their promotions – they have performed exceptionally well and have proved themselves to be extremely adept at using their expertise and growing experience for the benefit of our clients”

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Powell Williams, the national building consultancy, has promoted Adam Farrer to associate in its Leeds office.

Farrer joined the firm in 2015, soon after the launch of the Leeds office headed by partner Paul Scourfield. He has been instrumental in growing the business in Leeds and cementing relationships with key clients including Travis Perkins and SIG, and will be charged with continuing to help expand the client base.

Scourfield said: “Adam’s work, and the esteem in which he is held by many of our clients, is extremely impressive and demonstrates his commitment to Powell Williams and a desire to grow the business. He delivers an excellent service, has nurtured several key client relationships which results in high levels of customer satisfaction and, crucially, repeat business for the firm.

“We will continue to support Adam in his professional development. He has really stepped up to take ownership of creating new opportunities for the business, in particular the growth of the Leeds office, and thoroughly deserves this promotion.”

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Leeds-based engineering, environment and design consultancy Sweco has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of a head of water and asset management.

Ola Holmstrom, who has more than 20 years’ experience within the water industry, joins Sweco from WSP Group where he was director and head of water for seven years.

Originally from Sweden, he has spent 18 years working on environmental water issues in the UK, which most recently included being the flood risk lead for Crossrail 2 and water lead on HS2.

Holmstrom’s role within the leadership team will include implementing plans for Sweco’s continued growth in the UK in conjunction with managing director, Max Joy, and the leaders of Sweco’s buildings, energy, environment and transportation business units.