Newcastle-based MSP Cybit has unveiled former Softcat and Ultima exec James Hunnybourne as its new Executive Chairman following a “rigorous” selection process.
Counting data, AI, cloud services, cybersecurity and IT managed services as its sweet spots, Cybit was created in 2022 via the union of Perfect Image, Technique and Cyphra.
It ranked 150th in Oxygen 250, with fiscal 2023 revenues of £31.2m.
“I want to get the stories out there”
Most recently CRO at Ultima, Hunnybourne before that helped build Softcat’s services division. His CV also features stints at Logicalis and IBM.
“I wanted to choose somewhere where I could take everything I’d learned previously, but gave me more autonomy to be able to do that myself,” Hunnybourne told IT Channel Oxygen.
“It’s nice being a CRO or a director, but as an Executive Chair this is a really good opportunity for me to take everything I’ve learned historically and apply it to the success of this company.”
Backed by Chiltern Capital since 2019, Cybit withdrew from a planned sale process last year following a change in market conditions.
“The things Cybit is doing around reducing knife crime and shortening waiting lists for the NHS using the analytics – these are fantastic stories that are making the world a slightly better place. All I really want to do is get the stories out there,” Hunnybourne said.
Having been selected via a “thorough and rigorous” process towards the end of 2024, Hunnybourne has spent recent months performing a behind-the-scenes handover with previous CEO Kelly Simkiss (he holds the dual role of Executive Chairman and CEO).
Hunnybourne is the “first in a series of executive appointments” that will take place imminently at Cybit, the firm emphasised.
