Executive team

Charles holds a Masters degrees in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Imperial College (University of London), a Certified Diploma in Accounting and Finance (ACCA) and a Masters in Finance from the London Business School.

A keen traveller, Charles has visited over 85 countries and participated in several expeditions, including a trek to the geographic North Pole in 2004.

Since 1996, information technology has grown from thousands of users seeking simple dial-up access to millions of consumers and corporate clients who require reliable, high-speed, always-on connectivity. 12 years ago, few business people even had an email address. Today they expect anytime, anywhere access to their email, their company network and even their desktop.

Claranet's vision rests on two criteria which we believe will define the next decade. Information services will continue to play an ever more important role in business. Moreover, the range and diversity of information services will be impossible for businesses to manage in-house.

That is why I've built Claranet into a Managed Services Provider. We develop, support and manage a raft of information technology solutions for our customers, making it possible for them to focus on their business rather than worrying about their technology.

Whether it's a small business looking for basic broadband and a simple hosting solution, a large company requiring managed applications, or a multi-site organisation that needs reliable, secure networking, Claranet has already adapted it's infrastructure, services and personnel to offer every technology a company needs - before you realised you needed it.

The Claranet team and I are here to support your every need.

Charles Nasser, Chief Executive Officer, Claranet Group

His experience also includes roles at PwC - Coopers & Lybrand in Audit and Systems - where he qualified as a chartered accountant; and the William Reed Group as Finance Director of the main publishing company, and then as Group IT Director.

With his background and experience, Nigel has a solid understanding of IT and systems as well as the issues of operating, controlling and reporting across a range of countries. He has proved a catalyst for change management within the finance arena, and has worked with different senior management teams on successfully moving businesses forward. Nigel joined Claranet in April 2010.

Before that, he held the position of Vice President of IT and Business Systems at Interoute Communications, where he led a worldwide organisation of more than 60 staff to drive business agility, productivity and customer service through innovative technology solutions focused on business priorities.

In addition to his work with ControlCircle and Interoute Communications, Ian has held senior positions at FLAG Telecom, Vanco Ltd and Novell UK Ltd.

It’s great to be part of a company like Claranet which has been successful and innovative from the start. The stability and success Claranet has built across Europe gives me the opportunity to focus on creating innovative solutions to business challenges, and to support the drive for continual process improvements through the company. In distributed and collaborative business environments such as this, it’s become clear that there are three key principles to success; people, process and technology. I intend to continue the work done to build a world-class team and create a sense of community amongst the Claranet Technology Group, whilst working in close consultation with the regional businesses to ensure we create a high performance and flexible IT platform that delivers applications and data to our business teams, without fail.

Ian Finlay, Chief Information Officer, Claranet Group

Before joining Claranet UK, Michel was the Solution Director at Dimension Data, a global IT services and solution provider. He was responsible for the business development and marketing of Dimension Data's technology portfolio of products and services across Europe, and had particular success in growing the company's presence in the UK.

Michel has also worked in senior consulting and marketing positions for Forward in London (now part of WPP Group), a publishing company specialising in direct customer communications, and The Rouse Company, a North American property development company.

Claranet is a terrific company for many reasons; it is the right size – big enough to deliver and invest where needed, but not too big - decisions are taken quickly and implemented to the benefit our customers and staff. It’s got great people with a real passion for technology and what it can do. We have a terrific customer-base from which to build our business further, supported by a very sound strategy. I believe that the IT Services market is ripe for the integrated network, hosting and application management services we offer today and are developing.

Michel Roberts, Managing Director, Claranet UK

Olivier started his career as a multimedia developer and project manager for Havas. He was part of the development team that launched Havas On Line in 1996, the first French low-cost ISP. In 1997 he founded Artful, a managed applications company, and for the next 10 years was its CEO.

Artful was acquired by Claranet in 2005, and Olivier joined the Claranet Group. In March 2007, he became COO of the Claranet Group, and then in October 2009, Managing Director of Claranet France.

Olivier gained a Master of Science in Computer Sciences from EPITA, Paris in 1993, and his MBA in 2005 from ESCP Europe, Paris, France.

Under his stewardship, Claranet became one of the dominant forces in German business Internet services and in 2006 and 2007 was awarded the prestigious ECO award 'Best Business ISP'. In 2010 Olaf was appointed member of the ECO (Association of the German Internet industry) advisory board.

I’m still passionate about what technology can do and I’m proud that customers can benefit from our knowledge and experience at Claranet.

Olaf Fischer, Managing Director, Claranet Germany

In 2004 he launched AMEN in Portugal, a company specialising in volume hosting. When VIA NET.WORKS was acquired by Claranet, Ferreira was appointed Managing Director of Claranet and Amen Portugal. He is also the President of APREGI (Association of Domain and Hosting Providers) and member of the Fiscal Council of Apritel (Association of Private Telecommunication Providers) and Arbitrare (Court of Arbitration). Ferreira has also authored several books on subjects related to the Internet, in Portugal, Brazil and the USA.

The Internet Services industry has evolved tremendously over the past 16 years of my experience in this market. I am proud of being part of Claranet and proud that our managed network and hosting customers can benefit from our knowledge and experience.

Antonio Miguel Ferreira, Managing Director, Claranet Germany

He was the Founder and Managing Director of CatWorld, the Barcelona based ISP acquired by Claranet in 2000.

Claranet’s culture is based on the continous improvement of processes, technology and people. This is key to the success of our business and ensures our customers benefit from our experience and knowledge. After 10 years of working at Claranet, I am really proud of belonging to this company.

Carles Acero, Managing Director, Claranet Spain

In 2009 he took over technical responsibility in the Benelux as Director Operations and joined the senior management team. Ruud has been Managing Director of Claranet Benelux since November 2011.
Before working for Claranet he held management positions in logistics and ict, both in the private and public sector.

Claranet is a fantastic company to work for. On the edge of technology and business both customers and colleagues are the drivers for continuous improvement in every way"