Node4 Appoints Neil Muller as Group CEO and Patrick De Smedt as Non-Executive Chair to Accelerate AI-Augmented Managed Services Growth
AI / Machine Learning | 3 min read
Node4 (Derby, England; a leading AI Business Solutions and Managed Service Provider; founded 2004; supporting 1,700 UK businesses across private and public sectors; 1,100 experts nationwide; backed by Providence Equity Partners; top 1% of Microsoft Inner Circle partners), has announced the appointment of Neil Muller as Group Chief Executive Officer and Patrick De Smedt as Non-Executive Chair. The dual appointment strengthens Node4's leadership as the business enters its next phase of growth — with a clear focus on helping customers achieve more through secure, connected, and intelligent technology. De Smedt succeeds Chris Woodhouse as Non-Executive Chair. Chris steps down following a successful tenure that supported Node4's growth and integration journey.
"I'm thrilled to be joining Node4. What stood out to me was the combination of deep technical capability across the team, and a genuine commitment to customers and people. Node4's position within the top 1% of Microsoft Inner Circle partners gives us a powerful foundation to build from. There's a real opportunity here to scale the business while staying agile, original and firmly customer-focused."
— Neil Muller, Group Chief Executive Officer, Node4
Neil Muller — From Computacenter and Daisy Group to Leading Node4's AI-Augmented Platform
Muller brings extensive experience leading and transforming technology services organisations. Prior to joining Node4, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Digital Space and Daisy Group — two of the UK's leading managed IT services providers — and previously spent 20 years at Computacenter UK&I, including as Managing Director. His mandate at Node4 will focus on sharpening the company's strategy and further enhancing its AI-augmented managed services platform — alongside ERP, CRM, and data analytics solutions that support organisations to operate securely, efficiently, and at scale. De Smedt brings significant experience in scaling technology businesses and a strong understanding of the Microsoft ecosystem, having previously served as Chair of Nasstar, KCOM Group, EMIS Group, and Microsoft EMEA. He currently serves as Chair of Bytes Technology Group and The Rent Company B.V., and will provide strategic oversight and governance working closely with the executive team to guide Node4's long-term direction and UK expansion.
"Node4 is a business with a clear sense of purpose and a strong track record. From its origins in Derby to becoming a nationwide organisation supporting more than 1,700 customers, its growth has been built on meeting real customer needs and investing in talented people. I'm delighted to be joining at this point in the journey and to be working alongside Neil and the leadership team, as Node4 continues to evolve in a fast-moving and competitive market."
— Patrick De Smedt, Non-Executive Chair, Node4
Key Takeaways
- • Node4 (Derby, England; leading AI Business Solutions and Managed Service Provider; founded 2004; 1,700 UK customers; 1,100 experts; private and public sector; top 1% Microsoft Inner Circle partner; backed by Providence Equity Partners) has appointed Neil Muller as Group CEO and Patrick De Smedt as Non-Executive Chair — announced 22 April 2026. De Smedt succeeds Chris Woodhouse; the Board thanks Chris for his stewardship during Node4's growth and integration journey.
- • Neil Muller — background: 20 years at Computacenter UK&I (including as Managing Director); CEO of Daisy Group; CEO of Digital Space. Mandate at Node4: sharpen company strategy and enhance its AI-augmented managed services platform alongside ERP, CRM, and data analytics solutions. Mission: unlock the full potential of the business for customers, partners, and people — helping organisations operate securely, efficiently, and at scale.
- • Patrick De Smedt — background: Chair of Nasstar, KCOM Group, EMIS Group, and Microsoft EMEA. Currently Chair of Bytes Technology Group and The Rent Company B.V. Strong understanding of the Microsoft ecosystem and significant experience scaling technology businesses. Role at Node4: strategic oversight and governance; guide long-term direction; support UK expansion; work closely with the executive team.
- • Node4 platform: UK-sovereign infrastructure; integrated portfolio spanning AI business solutions, cloud and hybrid platforms, security, data and analytics, ERP expertise, and 24/7 managed services. Top 1% of Microsoft Inner Circle partners — a key commercial differentiator in the UK managed services market. Providence Equity Partners (principal investor) remains fully committed to supporting the business as it scales, innovates, and delivers outcomes for customers.
- • Strategic significance: Muller and De Smedt's combined backgrounds — Computacenter+Daisy+Digital Space (Muller) and Nasstar+KCOM+EMIS+Microsoft EMEA+Bytes Technology (De Smedt) — cover the full spectrum of UK managed services and Microsoft-ecosystem scale-up experience. The appointment signals Node4's intent to accelerate its AI-augmented managed services strategy at a moment when UK enterprises are increasing their managed service provider investment as AI adoption drives demand for specialist infrastructure, governance, and ongoing support. Node4's position in the top 1% of Microsoft Inner Circle partners provides the commercial foundation for that acceleration — with De Smedt's Microsoft EMEA Chair experience providing board-level Microsoft ecosystem depth alongside Muller's track record scaling customer-focused managed services organisations.