virtualDCS shakes up leadership team after private equity investment
Deal News | Apr 04, 2025 | Business Cloud
VirtualDCS, a cloud hosting and disaster recovery technology firm based in Leeds, has undergone a significant leadership transition following a majority investment by private equity firm MonacoSol. The Manchester-based MonacoSol, with its focus on tech and software, acquired a majority stake for an undisclosed sum to fuel virtualDCS’s growth ambitions. The three co-founders of virtualDCS, Richard May, John Murray, and Dan Nichols, are staying on in modified roles while bringing in new leadership to steer the company’s next phase. Alex Wilmot, a veteran in managed services and strategic growth, is appointed the new CEO. Dan Nichols resumes a role as CTO, and industry veteran Kieran Brady joins as CRO. This restructuring aligns with MonacoSol’s ambitious acquisition strategy, backed by a £40 million fund announced in October. This PE-backed overhaul also includes the strategic relocation of virtualDCS headquarters, aiming to leverage its cyber resilience expertise amidst increasing data security threats, ultimately paving the way for expanded service offerings.
Sectors
- Cloud Computing
- Private Equity
- Cybersecurity
Geography
- United Kingdom – The activities discussed in the article pertain primarily to companies based in Leeds and Manchester in the UK and involve a UK-based private equity firm, MonacoSol.
Industry
- Cloud Computing – This involves the delivery of various services through the internet, including data storage and management, which is virtualDCS's primary service offering.
- Private Equity – The strategic acquisition of virtualDCS by MonacoSol underscores its involvement in private equity, where companies and investors directly purchase shares in private companies.
- Cybersecurity – Given virtualDCS's focus on cyber resilience and data protection, the cybersecurity industry is highly relevant to its operations.
Financials
- £40 million – The fund announced by MonacoSol to support its acquisition strategy.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| virtualDCS | Target Company | Company | A Leeds-based cloud hosting company specializing in disaster recovery and cyber resilience. |
| MonacoSol | Bidding Company/Buyer | Company | A Manchester-based private equity firm focusing on tech and software investments. |
| Richard May | Co-founder & Product Development Director | Person | Co-founder of virtualDCS transitioning to product development director. |
| John Murray | Co-founder & Solutions Director | Person | Co-founder of virtualDCS transitioning to solutions director. |
| Dan Nichols | Co-founder & CTO | Person | Co-founder of virtualDCS who is returning as CTO. |
| Alex Wilmot | CEO | Person | Newly appointed CEO of virtualDCS with extensive experience in managed services and sales growth. |
| Kieran Brady | CRO | Person | Appointed as Chief Revenue Officer with over 40 years of experience in sales leadership. |
| Richard Beaton | Chairman of MonacoSol | Person | Entrepreneur and head of the family office that owns MonacoSol. |