Boardroom shake-up at Edinburgh networks firm

The founder of Commsworld, the UK’s largest independent network provider, is to step back from his frontline role at the company he set up more than 25 years ago.

Steve Langmead, who has held a number of senior jobs in the sector in Scotland, steps up to be CEO. Picture: contributed.

Ricky Nicol will move from chief executive to vice-chairman at the Edinburgh-headquartered company, with his previous role taken on by Steve Langmead who has been a director at Commsworld since 2018.

Langmead has held previous roles including senior vice president of Atos in Scotland and chief executive of Capita’s Scottish operations.

The appointment is the latest boardroom change since private equity house LDC, part of Lloyds Banking Group, invested in the company just over a year ago when John Trower replaced SNP MP Ian Blackford as chairman.

Founder Ricky Nicol is to become vice-chairman of the company. Picture: Ian Georgeson.

Commsworld said Langmead will lead an “ambitious new growth plan intent on building upon the company’s impressive growth over the last five years in both Scotland and across the UK”.

Langmead paid tribute to the “huge achievements” of Nicol.

“Since starting up Commsworld in 1994, Ricky has successfully built a highly-efficient business which delivers real value for its customers, fundamentally altering the digital landscape in Scotland and the UK. His entrepreneurial drive will still be at Commsworld in his new role as vice-chairman to guide the company forward to even greater success.”

Nicol said the leadership change represented “an emotional day”. He added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing this company grow and develop over the past 27 years. When I first started, we were the new kids on the block who had to prove our worth against some formidable and much larger competitors.”

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