Atlas Cloud secures legal tech edge

A Newcastle-based IT services company is expanding its reach and expertise in the legal sector.

Atlas Cloud Limited has bought London’s Challow Design Network Services Limited, a niche IT provider specialising in solutions for law firms and barristers’ chambers. 

Bosses say the acquisition aims to broaden Atlas Cloud’s geographic footprint and deepen its managed services and cyber security offerings tailored to the legal industry.

They add that the move aligns with growing legal sector demands for enhanced cyber security, as new Government regulations make Cyber Essentials certification mandatory for legal aid firms later this year.

Pete Watson, chief executive of Atlas Cloud, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the Challow team to Atlas Cloud; it’s an ideal match.

“Challow have spent years perfecting a totally unique solution, choosing to refine with their current customer base over pursuing growth. 

“Atlas Cloud has in recent years placed a huge emphasis on developing an operational blueprint that delivers a great service in a scalable way. 

“It’s given us greater capacity, allowed us to tighten SLAs and our customer feedback scores are now consistently world-class.

“Together, we make the industry’s best-kept secret – eager to disrupt the legal services sector.”

Challow’s compliance-first IT solution, aligned with the UK Government’s Cyber Essentials scheme, will now benefit from Atlas Cloud’s operational strength. 

This includes combining cyber security services such as penetration testing under one roof. 

Clients from both companies, including Ward Hadaway, Thackray Williams, 7 Bedford Row, and Warners Solicitors, will be served through this expanded platform.

Andy Fryer, director at Challow, who has become operations director across the new group, added: “From day one of meeting Pete and the team, this has felt like the right thing to do.

“Now is the right time to combine Challow’s compliance capabilities with Atlas Cloud’s security capabilities and take it to a wider market.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →