Advania UK has appointed James Hardy as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Geoff Kneen, who steps down after over eight years with the company and a distinguished career in tech.
Since entering the UK market in 2021, Advania has unified Content+Cloud, Azzure IT, CCS Media, and Servium into a 1,600-strong team – now one of the UK’s largest IT services providers. The business is poised to help more mid-market clients simplify tech decisions and unlock value.
Hardy, formerly Group Chief Commercial Officer, brings 20+ years of leadership experience, including 18 years at CCS Media. He’s known for his deep market insight, customer focus, and ability to scale.
Advania Group CEO Hege Støre said, “We’ve built a unified business with the capabilities to manage clients’ entire IT spend. Now we execute purpose and action.”
Hardy added, “We have the talent, agility, and client closeness that set us apart. The UK mid-market is underserved, and Advania is uniquely positioned to deliver enterprise-grade solutions with local decision-making. That’s the Advania Advantage.”
Støre also thanked Geoff Kneen for his leadership and the culture he leaves behind. Kneen reflected, “Leading Advania UK has been a career highlight. It’s the right time to focus on personal goals, and I’m confident the business is in great hands.”
