Cloud Direct has named Leighton Searle as its new CEO, bringing in a long-time Microsoft leader with more than 25 years in the sector and almost two decades spent driving cloud, data and AI transformation at Microsoft.

He replaces founder Brett Raynes, who will move into an executive chair role and continue to steer strategy and product development.

The Bath-based Microsoft partner has grown to around 150 staff across the UK and South Africa, delivering 26% year-on-year revenue growth and holding top-tier Azure, Data & AI, Modern Workplace and Security accreditations.