Headcount: 34 (+100%)
Specialism: Microsoft cloud
HQ: Manchester
This Microsoft cloud specialist makes the top 50 after doubling average monthly headcount from 17 to 34 between calendar 2020 and 2023.
Based in Manchester, but with offices in Wales and Reading, Shaping Cloud aims to help clients in the insurance, healthcare, government and legal/professional services sectors “unlock the benefits of cloud wherever they are in their digital transformation journeys”.
Founded in 2010, it is headed up by former local government CIO Helen Gerling.
Q&A with Shaping Cloud CEO Helen Gerling
You’re one of the UK’s fastest growing IT solutions providers by headcount. What would you attribute that to?
Our amazing team who are all focused on building and delivering value to our customers.
What’s your biggest growth bet for 2025? We’re laser focused on expanding in the legal and insurance industries this year.
What’s been your biggest tech let down of the last 12 months?
The noise around cloud repatriation – many businesses reacting to high cloud bills by moving back on-prem rather than fixing their cloud strategy. This shift is often encouraged by legacy tech providers who prioritise retention over helping their customers achieve true business value in the cloud.
Name one thing your company has planned for the next 12 months.
Expanding our data science and AI capabilities as part of our growth roadmap, including exploring strategic opportunities to accelerate this.
Which industry peer do you respect the most?
Justin Langford of Coeo – Smart, principled, not afraid of rethinking industry norms.
Shaping Cloud featured in the Oxygen Fast-Growth 50. Who is the Oxygen Fast-Growth 50? Find out more here. IT Channel Oxygen members can download the report here
