Rugby star joins Emerge Digital as Business Development Director

Thu 29 Aug 2024

Cheltenham-based technology consultancy, Emerge Digital, has announced the appointment of Mark Atkinson, former Gloucester Rugby player, as its new Business Development Director.

Cheltenham-based technology consultancy Emerge Digital has announced that Mark Atkinson, a former Gloucester Rugby player, will join the company as its new Business Development Director. This appointment follows a year of growth for Emerge Digital, which saw its revenue increase to £3 million ($3.9 million) from £2.2 million ($2.9 million) in the previous year.

Emerge Digital has been expanding faster than the industry average, with its growth rate significantly outpacing the 12% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) projected for the Managed Services Providers (MSP) market in a recent UK Government report. The company reports a 33% CAGR over the same period.

Atkinson, who also holds a business development role at Gloucester Rugby, will focus on exploring new market opportunities as part of Emerge Digital’s goal to double its revenue by 2026.

Atkinson said since leaving the game, he has wanted to challenge himself in a new industry.

“Emerge Digital’s growth and determination piqued my interest, and I am excited to bring my experience and drive to this new role. My existing relationship with Emerge through their partnership with Gloucester Rugby made this the perfect fit,” said Atkinson.

Emerge Digital rebranded in 2022, expanding its service offerings to include IT support, cloud services, and cybersecurity. Since then, the company has reported a 77% increase in revenue and a 45% growth in its client base.

Atkinson’s appointment coincides with the sixth year of Emerge Digital’s partnership with Gloucester Rugby. This collaboration has supported the club in improving match day experiences for over 250,000 fans through the implementation of new technology.

“Transferring ambition from sport to business is a natural progression. Businesses benefit from individuals who are driven by clear goals, and Mark brings these qualities to our team,” said Nigel Church, CEO of Emerge Digital.