National managed service provider Atlas Cloud is continuing with its growth strategy and looking to take on new recruits to help keep the North East front of mind when it comes the IT sector.
The firm, headquartered at Newcastle’s Generator studios, specialises in delivering cloud based scalable IT solutions for ambitious businesses across the UK, allowing users to work collaboratively and securely, anywhere, anytime, across multiple sites, in real time.
The team is committed to its ethos that IT shouldn’t depend on geography, expanding its 60-strong team with 10 new Technical Consultant positions here in the North East.
Alasdair Upton, Technical Manager at Atlas Cloud, joined the company in 2011. He was initially invited to join the then fledgling team for work experience and has since worked his way up from “the most junior techy” to managing a seven-strong team of his own.
He said: “In terms of my own career development I owe a lot to Atlas Cloud. When we’re looking to recruit, we always get a lot of North East applicants with very strong technology backgrounds.
“It’s not necessary these days to move south to forge a successful career in tech and IT. There are a lot of companies here that are promoting the region as a hub for the IT sector. It’s a really interesting time to be part of that.
“Whether it’s through internal coaching or formal external qualifications, there is always a desire internally to get people on our team moving and progressing in their careers here.
“We’re working to promote roles for women in tech in the North East as well. Currently the ratio on the team is about one in three, but we think it’s important to consciously try to improve that and to attract more women into the sector.”
For Senior Technical Specialist, Iain Knott, having the flexibility to work at home shows that the company practices what they preach.
He said: “Atlas Cloud is committed to an ethos of flexibility. We have adopted the cloud mentality that your office is anywhere.
“I’ve got a two-year-old daughter, Evelyn, so having the flexibility to work from home and still fulfil my role is great and the cloud solution is ideal for that. It’s proof that our systems really work on a practical level.”
“Atlas Cloud is growing and it an exciting company to work for. I’ve got a lot of interesting projects that are gaining momentum. It’s great to work for such a fast growing enterprise.
“In a larger firm, as a small part in a big team, you tend to get siloed and your role becomes quite niche over time.
“My role here is very varied and it has allowed me to use and build on the skills and experience I’ve gained over the years to take on a lot of project work, bringing in my ideas and solutions in to help the continuing improvement and optimisation of existing services.
Pete Watson, CEO of Atlas Cloud, commented on the firm’s progressive apprenticeship policy, saying: “We know there is a wealth of talent and expertise in the North’s IT and technology sector and we don’t want to lose that. That’s why we invest in graduates and apprentices every year.
“We see it as our duty to create exciting new roles for the next generation where they get to work in an innovative space at the forefront of IT.
“We like to think of Atlas Cloud as an employer of choice and we are committed to growing our own heroes – nurturing talent within our ranks – because we believe in driving change in the industry. We encourage our team to innovate, rather than just maintaining the status quo.
While ambitious and growing SMEs remain the core customer base for Atlas Cloud, the company – which also has offices in London and Manchester – has recently landed a string of national PLC account wins, including software giant Sage, credit-scoring experts Experian, construction and property leader Kier and waste management specialists, Biffa.
Pete said: “The big projects we work on, like HS2 and Sellafield are very rewarding and stimulating for the team to be involved with. We’re building solutions for people who are building the future of UK infrastructure. By the time high speed rail reaches us in the North most people will be remote working using cloud technology to drive productivity and reduce increasing travel costs.
Service Desk Analyst, Peter Gough, joined Atlas Cloud in 2014 when he reached a crossroads in his career.
He said: “In the past I’ve always worked for big organisations like Santander and Royal Mail, but right from the off, I was struck by the family atmosphere at Atlas Cloud.
“The company is personal, warm and open for staff and for our customers. It’s a small company but a big hitter, chilled but busy, local but growing nationally and internationally all the time.”
Outside the 9 to 5, Atlas Cloud also has an active social calendar too.
Peter Gough said: “We have curry nights, yoga and sports massage sessions, gym discounts, a company book club and an annual corporate bike ride, which this year saw the team raise £6,000 for charity Action for Children. We’ve also taken part in tough mudder and total warrior events and last year we did one of Newcastle’s escape room challenges. Our company update meetings are usually an informal social event with pizza. Everyone on the team gets involved.”
For more information on the jobs currently available, visit https://www.atlascloud.co.uk/careers/