Internet pioneer Scott Hicks takes the helm at iseek

A reshuffle at the helm of the national digital infrastructure group iseek is set to push the company to new heights. Internet pioneer Scott Hicks, founder of the South Australian data centre operator YourDC, has been appointed as the new CEO, a little over a year since iseek acquired his business.

Hicks, a prominent figure in the sector for over three decades, has been instrumental in connecting Australians to digital information sources. His 16-year tenure as Managing Director of Adam Internet saw him oversee an impressive growth phase, culminating in a workforce of over 200 prior to the ISP's sale to iiNet/TPG in 2013. The subsequent formation of YourDC via a consortium of industry leaders in 2015 swiftly resulted in it becoming South Australia's premier private data centre.

As he takes the reins at iseek, Hicks plans to continue this growth trajectory with an expansion of the firm's data centre portfolio. He aims to cement iseek's position as a top-tier digital infrastructure operator in the Australian market. The company already boasts seven data centre facilities, spread across Brisbane, Northern Queensland, Sydney, and Adelaide.

Data centres are a blossoming investment opportunity, Hicks explains. He notes that the increasingly high take-up of outsourced colocation arrangements, burgeoning cloud solutions, and the rise of artificial intelligence are driving demand. The new CEO praised the existing team, stating, "The past year has been about strengthening and integrating our teams across all our facilities, and it's been a delight to work with such experienced people." Going forward, he hopes, "to make sure every person plays a role in and benefits from future growth and continued opportunities on the horizon."

Jason Gomersall, the original founder of iseek 25 years ago, will now work on developing the company's sales and customer relationship management function in the role of Executive Director. Hicks commended Gomersall's contribution, highlighting his success as, "the chief advocate for the business, attracting blue-chip clients that include all tiers of government and some of Australia's iconic international brands."

Hick's praised the previous collaboration between the two companies, stating "We both saw the amazing synergies when our companies merged through acquisition." As the company embarks on its next phase of growth, the focus will be on "investing in building on a strong company culture."

Gomersall echoed this positive sentiment, sharing that "a number of key executive appointments" are imminent. He championed the company's prospects, citing its strong customer relationships with Global Cloud, Enterprise and Government clients. Gomersall concluded confidently, stating, "The next phase for iseek looks very exciting with the transformative impact of AI on data centre demand."