Executive Team
Charles Nasser CEO of Claranet Group
Charles Nasser founded Claranet on a New Year's resolution in January 1996. In ten years, he built it into a trusted Managed Services Provider. Claranet started in the UK and expanded organically into France, Germany and Spain followed by a series of successful acquisitions across Europe and the USA.
In its first ten years, the Claranet Group amassed 600 employees and over 36,000 corporate customers. The company never raised any institutional funding and remains private. Charles strongly feels that the secret of Claranet's success lies in having a strong and motivated management team. The company's most valuable assets are its customers and staff and Charles ensures he always looks after both.
Charles holds a Masters degrees in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Imperial College (University of London) and a Masters in Finance from the London Business School. In 2004, he was part of an expedition that walked to the geographic North Pole.
Olivier Beaudet, COO, Claranet Group
Olivier received a Master of Science in Computer Sciences from EPITA, Paris in 1993, and his MBA in 2005 from ESCP-EAP, Paris. He then went on to work with Havas as multimedia developer and project manager and 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 the CEO. Artful was acquired by Claranet in 2005 and in March of this year he became COO of Claranet.
Frank Dooley, Chief Financial Officer, Claranet Group
Frank has more than 14 years of experience in accounting and finance. Prior to joining the Claranet group in 2002, Frank worked for an international information technology solutions firm where his responsibilities included raising funding through venture capitalists and managing the finance function for the company's European, Australian and Japanese operations. Frank is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Michel Robert, Managing Director, Claranet UK
Michel is an expert in business development and marketing with particular expertise in the IT solutions sector. He has worked in senior roles across Europe and the US and has more than seven years experience in the IT industry.
Before joining Claranet UK, Michel was the Solution Director at Dimension Data, a global IT services and solution provider. Michel was responsible for the business development and marketing of Dimension Data’s technology solutions portfolio 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 contract publishing company specialising in direct customer communications, and The Rouse Company, a North American property development company.
Michel joined Claranet UK as Managing Director in July 2007, where he uses his experience to drive the development of Claranet's business IT services and solutions offering in the UK.
Carles Acero, MD, Claranet Spain
A PhD of the University of Barcelona and a former research fellow of the University of California, Carlos Acero has worked in the Internet almost since its inception. He was the Founder and Managing Director of CatWorld, the Barcelona based ISP acquired by Claranet in 2000.
Olaf Fischer, MD, Claranet Germany
A computer science graduate, Olaf joined Claranet Germany as Managing Director in February 2000, after extensive experience in the Internet industry with German ISPs Callisto, and O.Tel.O Communications. Under his stewardship, Claranet became one of the dominant forces in German business Internet services and in 2006 was awarded the prestigious Eco award 'Best Business ISP'
António Miguel Ferreira, MD, Claranet Portugal
A computer science graduate, António Miguel Ferreira established Esoterica, the first private ISP in 1995, and has had a leading role in the Internet industry since. When Esoterica was acquired by VIA NET.WORKS Inc, Ferreira was appointed Operations Manager for South Western Europe. 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.
Nicolas Prouteau, MD, Claranet France
Nicolas became MD of Claranet France in July 2002, having held top management positions for leading ISPs including Tiscali, and roles in corporate strategy, business development and sales across the telecommunications' industry. Nicolas holds an engineering degree in telecommunications and an MBA from Insead business school.
Darin Elkins, US MD
Darin Elkins brings VIA NetWorks USA 15 years of strategic information technology expertise and has been a senior consultant across a wide range of industries. Darin has a demonstrated track record for building cohesive, high achieving teams that streamline business operations and implement technical solutions for both large and small environments. Darin is a customer-focused leader experienced in managing large staffs, interacting with executive teams, and directing high-capital projects across multiple locations.