Interview BlakYaks, UK IT Industry Awards 2025 finalist
'The IT industry is rapidly evolving with emerging technologies such as AI reshaping business processes moving forward'
Dirk Anderson, CEO and co-founder of BlakYaks, to find out more about the company's biggest challenges and achievements over the past year.
The UK IT Industry Awards are the largest and most well-known event in the technology industry calendar. Owned and operated by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT and Computing, the awards enjoy a level of professionalism and industry knowledge not seen at other shows.
This year's winners will be announced at a live awards ceremony on Wednesday 12th November in London.
BlakYaks is a finalist in the Cloud Technology of the Year category.
We talked to Dirk Anderson, CEO and co-founder of BlakYaks, to find out more about the company's biggest challenges and achievements over the past year.
Dirk heads up the BlakYaks business. He was previously the Director of Hybrid Cloud for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and was the Managing Director at RedPixie, a leading Microsoft Azure specialist partner acquired by HPE in 2018. Dirk has been managing technology engineering & solution teams for over 20 years and likes to build technology teams that focus on quality at all times in a setting that's fun to be part of and develops all team members.
Why do you think awards like the UK IT Industry Awards matter?
Awards like the UK IT Industry Awards celebrate excellence and innovation across the sector. Recognition from industry peers validates the hard work, creativity and dedication that teams bring to delivering exceptional outcomes. For our team, partners and customers, such acknowledgment highlights the impact of our efforts and inspires us to raise the bar even higher.
What would winning this award mean to your company?
Our team sets a high standard in delivering quality outcomes and driving continuous research and development. Winning this award would be a proud moment for everyone at BlakYaks, celebrating the dedication, collaboration and innovation that underpin everything we do. It would make all the hard work feel even more worthwhile.
What would you say is your company's proudest achievement over the past year?
This year, we've intensified our commitment to developing STEM talent in the UK. By attracting and nurturing local graduates, we ensure our customers continue to receive high-value, differentiated services while also contributing to the UK's technology ecosystem. This focus on home-grown talent underpins both our growth and our long-term vision.
What have been the biggest challenges of 2025 so far, and how have you overcome them? How have your people helped with that?
2025 has been a year of rapid growth amid significant change. Managing that growth while maintaining excellence has been challenging, but our team's dedication, adaptability and collaboration have made it possible. The ongoing support of our customers has been equally crucial, allowing us to continue delivering quality services without compromise.
How do you think the industry has changed over the past year, and what changes do you think it still needs to make?
The IT industry is rapidly evolving with emerging technologies such as AI reshaping business processes moving forward. At the same time, growing cybersecurity threats and regulatory pressures create complexity for both customers and providers. The industry must continue to adapt responsibly, balancing innovation with security and resilience.
What do you see as the main opportunities for the industry in the coming year, and how do you plan to capitalise on those opportunities?
Looking ahead, cloud-native technologies, API-driven ecosystems and advanced innovations offer immense opportunities. BlakYaks aims to be a trusted expert partner, helping customers navigate these technologies effectively and securely. We're expanding our Azure Accelerator Pack portfolio with new solutions that simplify enterprise adoption of emerging technologies, including AI. Alongside this, our managed services team continues to grow, providing 24/7 support to help customers maintain and evolve their environments with confidence. By combining technical excellence with a deep understanding of business needs, we help our clients leverage innovation to drive growth, resilience and long-term success.
The UK IT Industry Awards will take place on 12th November in London. Click here to view the shortlist and here to book your table.