IT SERVICES provider XKO has appointed Michael Burrows to head its Guernsey operations. Mr Burrows, 53, has more than 15 years’ experience. A former head of IT with the police, he joined XKO in 1996.

As general manager, he is now responsible for the day-to-day running of the local office.

He will also continue to lead the company’s business IT consultancy division, which operates across the Channel Islands.

Jon Crichard, managing director of XKO’s Channel Island operations, said Mr Burrows’ appointment reflected the contribution he had made to the company.

‘When Mike joined the company, we had 14 people in the Guernsey office. We now have more than treble that number and across the Channel Islands we are the largest IT services provider,’ he said.

‘Mike’s contribution has been invaluable. He has helped transform our business from a traditional systems-and-support supplier to a full-service, end-to-end solutions provider.’

Mr Burrows’ business IT consultancy division includes the award-winning electronic document-management and workflow team. This draws together expertise in a range of disciplines from the Guernsey and Jersey operations.

Mr Crichard said consultancy and electronic document management remained key growth areas for the company.

‘We have invested considerable resources in terms of training, recruitment and acquiring specialist expertise to establish XKO as a centre of excellence for electronic document management.

‘Mike has been instrumental in this and his experience will continue to be important as we continue developing our range of products and services in this area.’

When he was a police officer, Mr Burrows was responsible for the modernisation and computerisation of the force’s systems and resources.

XKO’s Channel Island operation is part of XKO Group, the London Stock Exchange-listed IT-services provider.

The company has offices in Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man and the UK.