40 BusIness AUGUST 2019
TECH AWARDS 2019
M
anchester-based
artificial
intelligence (AI)
analytics
business, Peak,
picked up the
award for Best
use of Machine Learning and AI.
Peak draws on the power of AI and
machine learning to help businesses
leverage their data successfully.
Since its launch in 2014 by CEO
Richard Potter, COO David Leitch, and
CTO Atul Sharma, Peak has grown
rapidly.
Peak works with businesses in
sectors including retail, wholesale,
consumer goods, manufacturing and
logistics.
Peak’s AI system has the ability to
collate data from any source, structured
or unstructured, make sense of that
data and leverage it using AI and
machine learning algorithms to power
business-wide processes.
The company’s investment funding
to date has allowed the company to
expand its operations, taking staff
headcount from 10 to 60 in the last two
years, with plans to increase this to 100
staff in the next 12 months. Its clients
include Global Radio, ASOS, Speedy
Hire and Footasylum.
Said Richard: “We are really excited
about the next 12 months, as we plan to
launch into America next year.
“We see huge potential for growth
in North America for our Peak AI
System.“We’re rapidly expanding and
we’re excited to see where this takes
u s .”
Commenting about the award win,
he said: “We have twice been named
one of the fastest-growing techcompanies in the North. To win this
award is amazing.
“It means a lot to the team and the
business and in doing so means more
awareness of what we do on a global
stage.”Best use of Machine Learning and AI Peak
Best use of machine learning and
AI, sponsored by Bauhaus, is PeakBest Global Reach M247
T
he award for Best
Global Reach went to
M247, a global
provider of super-fast
internet connectivity
and network
infrastructures.The company has more than 15
years’ experience, having started life in
2003 as Metronet UK, delivering high-
speed connectivity through a
combination of wireless and fibre
technologies to businesses in the
north of England and the Midlands.The current brand was formed
following the merger of three leading
businesses, Metronet UK, M247 and
Venus Business Communications.
After a period of strong growth and
strategic direction, the business was
fully rebranded as M247 last year.The company now has one of the
most extensive internet exchange
footprints in the world.
At peak times, the M247 network
carries the equivalent of over 2% of
Western Europe’s internet traffic for
business.
It is headquartered in Manchester,
but also operates from offices in
London and Bucharest serving 10,000
customers in 90 countries.
Through acquisition and organic
growth, new leadership and
rebranding, M247 continues to
increase profits, which have grown
48% year on year to £25.6m.
Last year also saw investment in
larger office space.
The company doubled its space at
Turing House, at Manchester Science
Park, offering a flexible and modern
working environment for its team.
Sales director, Andy Tatlock, said:
“This award is a reward for the hard
work the team has been doing to
increase our services both here in the
UK and globally. We are now in 90
countries and growing.
“Our Cloud offering also continues
to grow, and this is an area we plan to
capitalise on in the next 12 months.”Best Global Reach,
sponsored by
Openreach, is M247