Verne Global expands business development team

Verne Global has expanded its business development team in order to capitalise on growing demand for its Icelandic data centre services. Dominic Ward, based in Verne Global’s London headquarters, joins as vice president of corporate and business development, while Michael Brown takes the role of lead director for business development, located in New York. Also joining the team is Christian Kallenbach, director of business development for Europe, who will be based in Frankfurt.

The newly expanded team will focus on developing market opportunities in the UK, Germany and the US, where demand for Verne Global’s services continues to grow strongly, as organisations seek out more cost effective, flexible and sustainable data centre services. Ward, who will be responsible for all aspects of corporate and business development and also holds a place on Verne Global’s board, joins from Lepe Partners LLP, an investment and advisory business for technology and digital media firms, which he co-founded. Previously, he was co-head of direct investments at the Wellcome Trust, where he led an investment into Verne Global. He has also held senior roles at Jones Lang LaSalle and Jones Lang LaSalle Corporate Finance.

Brown will head up business development activities in the US where rising power costs coupled with grid capacity and reliability issues, are increasingly driving organisations to re-assess their current data centre strategies. Prior to Verne Global, Brown held senior sales and business development positions for AboveNet Communications (formerly Metromedia Fiber Network and acquired by Zayo Group) and Cable & Wireless. He has particular expertise in the finance, insurance, pharmaceuticals, technology and research markets; key vertical sectors for Verne Global.

Kallenbach will be responsible for all business development activities across Europe, with a strong focus on large corporations in Germany, where there is a growing demand for more sustainable data centre solutions. He joins Verne Global with more than 15 years experience in the data centre industry, most recently at Rittal, where he held a vice president position, focusing on key accounts.

“We continue to see strong demand across the US, UK, and Germany as organisations in those countries place more importance on the availability and price of power,” said Jeff Monroe, Verne Global’s CEO. “We are excited by the expansion of our global team as they bring a wealth of experience and expertise to Verne Global and our customers.”