- UKFast
Infobox_Company
company_name = UKFast.Net Ltd
company_type = Private
foundation = 1999
location = City Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, M1 4BT
key_people = Managing Director
Lawrence Jones
Commercial DirectorGail Jones
Technical Director
Neil Lathwood
Communications DirectorJonathan Bowers
industry =Internet Hosting
homepage = [http://www.ukfast.co.uk/ http://www.ukfast.co.uk]UKFast.Net Ltd is a Manchester-based business-to-business hosting provider. [Manchester Evening News]
The company offers bespoke dedicated and virtual hosting solutions within the UK web hosting industry.
The company’s headquarters are situated at the top of the city tower in Manchester city centre.
UKFast houses its servers in three independent data centres in both Manchester and London. These are called MANOC1, MANOC2 and Telehouse North (London).Company History
UKFast was founded in 1999 by Lawrence Jones and his wife Gail. Having spent some time in the USA, Jones became fascinated with the internet and had a burning desire to get involved. On his return he knew that the internet would revolutionise the future of business. After experiencing terrible customer service from a number of hosting providers, he identified his gap in the market and UKFast was born.
In January 2001, his whole outlook on life changed after almost being killed in an avalance while snowboarding in France. He accepts that luck may have contributed to his current success, but believes this is really down to the determined attitude that was born the day he almost died. [MEN Avalance]
In 2005, the company won what is widely considered to be the web hosting industry's most prestigious award. The ISPA's - Best Hosting Provider. Since then the company, has won the ISPA's best hosting provider in 2006, 2007, and in 2008 it won the – Best Dedicated Hosting Provider Award. [MEN ISP]
Lawrence Jones' love of sport and performance motor racing has led to the firm developing key sponsorship deals with the likes of the Sale Sharks Rugby Club and Airwaves-Ducati which have helped raise the profile of the organisation in the media.References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
