Atlas Cloud expands with Challow Design Network acquisition

The Newcastle-based IT services provider, Atlas Cloud Limited, has tactically expanded its operations by acquiring London-based Challow Design Network Services Limited. This move is aimed at broadening its geographical reach and strengthening its foothold in the legal services sector.

Atlas Cloud, known for its IT managed and cyber security services, now has an opportunity to serve the legal service sector and other larger clientele, leveraging its existing operations to enhance service delivery.

Challow, a niche IT services provider headquartered near King's Cross, London, offers IT solutions tailored for law firms and barristers' chambers. Their compliance-first approach aligns with the UK's Cyber Essentials scheme. The integration promises to enhance Challow's offerings by leveraging Atlas Cloud’s operational capabilities. The merger sees Challow's solution incorporated into Atlas Cloud's operations, expanding the reach of their cyber security division. This includes services like penetration testing and additional cyber accreditations under one umbrella.

CEO Pete Watson of Atlas Cloud remarked on the acquisition: "Challow have spent years perfecting a totally unique solution, choosing to refine with their current customer base over pursuing growth. Atlas Cloud has in recent years placed a huge emphasis on developing an operational blueprint that delivers a great service in a scalable way. It’s given us greater capacity, allowed us to tighten SLAs and our customer feedback scores are now consistently world-class."

With clients like Ward Hadaway and Thackray Williams, Atlas Cloud is poised to absorb Challow’s customer base, becoming a leading provider in the legal sector.

The new group's Operations Director, Andy Fryer, also commented on the merger, highlighting the complementary nature of the two companies and their ambitions for the larger market.

Recent guidance from the Law Society and the Bar Council emphasizes the importance of information security in the legal field. Furthermore, the upcoming mandatory Cyber Essentials certifications aim to ensure compliance across the sector.

As Atlas Cloud progresses with its five-year strategy, investments will continue in both Newcastle and London. Newcastle will become a hub for service and security operations, while London will focus on technological advancements. The company plans to enhance its innovations team to aid law firms in unlocking efficiencies through Generative AI.

CEO Pete Watson stated, "We’re already holding innovation roundtables with customers and building out proof of concepts, our next investment will help us dedicate more time to driving the legal sector forward."