Jared Kove was working at the London Stock Exchange as a director running a large technical team – but decided to step away to join a Staffordshire tech company.

He is now Chief Technology Officer at Next2IT and Next Level Software, based at Stafford Technology Park, where he is helping to drive growth.

Just eight months into the role he has already has a transformational impact and is shaping the company’s technical direction.

His remit includes building a world-class team of highly-skilled engineers.

Deklan van de Laarschot, the company’s founder and CEO, says Jared has been instrumental in Next2IT’s rapid expansion.

“Jared was working at the London Stock Exchange but decided there could be more growth with Next2IT,” he said.

“Jared’s influence extends far beyond technical expertise – he is a true leader who inspires those around him. He fosters a workplace culture that values innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement, making Next2IT not only a leading IT provider but also a great place to work.

“His ability to mentor, empower and support his team ensures that Next2IT continues to attract and retain top-tier talent. His leadership style is one that puts people first, creating an environment where individuals can grow, thrive and contribute to the company’s ongoing success.

“Jared is destined for great things. His vision, technical expertise and dedication to excellence have already positioned him as a rising star in the industry. As CTO of both Next2IT and Next Level Software, he is not only shaping the future of enterprise IT but also driving innovation in the software sector.”

Jared has been nominated in the Young Business Person of the Year category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards.

Deklan added: “Recognising Jared as Young Business Person of the Year would honour his exceptional achievements, leadership and contributions to the Staffordshire business community, highlighting his role as one of the region’s most promising young business leaders.