Manx Telecom has appointed a Linux and Virtualisation Specialist within the fast expanding technical team at the Company’s Data Centre in Douglas.

Chris Larkham has been promoted from within Manx Telecom, having worked in a range of technical roles across the business.

Having developed a large breadth of skills from programming, technical support and a specialisation in Redhat Linux, his new role will be to oversee design decisions, the strategic direction for Hosted Services and the implementation of new Enterprise-class solutions.

The purpose-built Douglas North Data Centre, completed in 2005 at a cost of over ?10 million, hosts some of the largest international eGaming companies, on-line bookmakers, global payment processors, international e-money providers and major banks.

More than 30 staff are now based at the facility, whose fast-developing core network and enterprise hosting operation is now primed to take on additional capacity.

John McChesney, Manx Telecom’s Director of Human Resources, said Chris’s promotion was a clear indication of the growing demand for the Company’s hosting services on the Isle of Man and a ringing endorsement of the quality of staff coming up through the business.

"Manx Telecom’s hosting and managed services continue to evolve and grow with new customers, services and technologies," said Mr McChesney.

"Chris has risen through the technical ranks at Manx Telecom and as we continue to expand and develop our hosting operation we are delighted that he is now ideally placed to take on this demanding and exciting role.

"At a time when there is a fair degree of uncertainty in the economy, the fact that we are bucking the trend speaks volumes about Manx Telecom," he added.