An ‘outstanding cloud leader’ has joined Dundee managed service provider Brightsolid as it prepares to launch a new Azure offering early next year.

Nick Riley becomes the new head of cloud solutions as the company – owned by media giant DC Thomson – is reappointed on the Scottish Government’s cloud framework.

Riley joins from omni-channel retailer New Look, where he oversaw the hybrid cloud strategy and design and Azure adoption.

With extensive experience in DevOps, Azure and AWS, Riley will head up Brightsolid’s cloud architecture and customer success function, supporting customers across cloud strategy, adoption, migration and optimisation.

A key task for Riley will be developing Brightsolid’s new Azure offering in early 2024.

“I’m really excited about the direction of travel for Brightsolid,” said Riley, pictured below. “The company has made huge strides over the past 18 months by adding some very impressive talent and launching new products and services. I’m looking forward to adding my passion for all things cloud, especially the Microsoft stack, to Brightsolid as the business grows and expands.”

Brightsolid is already an advanced AWS partner with its own cloud and security offerings, so the addition of Azure is seen as the next strategic step in the MSP’s growth plans.

CTO Andy Sinclair said: “Nick is an outstanding cloud leader and evangelist and one of the UK’s most capable cloud experts. Customers are going to love his passion and expertise. Nick joining us, combined with our investment in our cloud platform, Brightsolid Cloud and our continued efforts to enhance our already significant AWS expertise, gives us a truly compelling hybrid cloud capability that will resonate extremely well in the market.”

Riley’s appointment comes as Brightsolid has been announced as one of only two MSPs on the latest Scottish Government cloud framework. The company has been a permanent fixture on the framework and Sinclair is thrilled to be part of the latest iteration.

He said: “We work with a huge range of public sector organisations through the framework and we’re looking forward to continuing to support them on every step of their cloud journey.”