Node4, the data centre and communications specialist, has announced that Russell Baker has joined the company as its new Finance Director (FD). The appointment is a key strategic hire for Node4 following its management buyout earlier this year. Russell brings over 20 years experience to Node4, and in his previous roles has helped businesses to successfully transition and grow rapidly following management buyouts.

Russell qualified as an accountant with KPMG, the global accountancy firm. He was later FD of the industrial division of Christian Salvesen before most recently working as Group FD at Deb Group, the skin care suppliers where Russell supported the company’s transition through two management buyouts.

“Node4 is going through a significant business transition as a result of its management buyout and I want to use my experience to help manage this process and to support the company in achieving its strong growth targets,” commented Russell Baker, Finance Director of Node4. “It’s an exciting time to join Node4 as it is in a market that continues to grow and there is a huge opportunity for the business to rapidly accelerate in the near future.”

Andrew Gilbert, Managing Director of Node4 said: “Russell’s experience in working closely with investors, lenders and the management team in a private equity backed company is going to be invaluable for Node4. We have ambitious growth targets for the business and Russell’s strategic expertise and approach are going to be big assets for me and the rest of the organisation.”