Andy Gilbert: Node4

Andy Gilbert, 29
Company: Node 4
Web: www.node4.co.uk

Founded in 2004, Derby-based Node 4 is projecting an impressive £10m turnover this year, saw a £3.4m profit in 2009 and has 34 staff. Not bad going for an entrepreneur who dropped out of school at 16. There’s no denying the strength of Andy Gilbert’s background in IT, though, as he started his career as a developer involved in projects for clients such as PC World, and was a technical director for another IT services provider before founding Node 4. The business is soon to open its third data centre, while planning to broaden its channels and develop new markets.

2013 update:

Node 4 now operates four data centres – two in Derby, one in Northampton and another in Leeds – and was bought out in May this year in a management buy-out backed by venture capital firm LDC, with founder Gilbert remaining as managing director to take the business forward. The company now has an annual turnover of around £13m and employs 60 staff.