aql® was formed in 1998 at the beginning of the “internet boom”. By mid 2000, aql was listed in the top 3% of registries (sales by volume of .uk domain names, source – Nominet UK annual statistics 2000-03).
This position enabled aql to invest heavily into telecoms infrastructure expansion, entering the mobile messaging market in 1999 with direct connections to the UK mobile network providers.
Further expansion into wholesale telecommunications in 2003 allowed aql to create a telecommunications network capable of supplying UK PSTN numbering into the broadband industry to fulfill the growing demand for broadband voice “VoIP” services.
Underpinning our service design expertise is a carrier grade delivery network, operating both in the IP and TDM
domain, allowing aql to provide innovation and bring the service to operation.
The aql network is a national network spanning several sites. With a large presence both in London and also
significant out-of-london points of presence, this allows aql to operate a heavily interconnected network with full geographic
resilience.
Since our foundation in 1998, we have placed security at the very core of our business. We have a strong security culture, operate our own secure telecommunications and data networks, and are able to assist out clients by providing independent and impartial security consultancy services.
All our key staff members undergo British Government National Security Vetting (NSV) clearances.
Channel focus – Support and maintain rather than compete
Our partners manage the customer relationships, we manage our network and infrastructure.
Getting it right – Technology and engineering focus
For example, before we deliver wholesale numbering to a customer, we make sure the connectivity is right.We monitor over 1.3 million
parameters per day to maintain quality of service on our network. We survey each support call to ensure we’ve done our job.
People – We get the right people and we keep them and grow them
Dr Adam Beaumont [Managing Director]
Both a scientist and an electrical engineer, Adam started his career with a PhD in Physical Chemistry and a 3 year stint as Leeds University’s youngest lecturer, before moving into Secure Mobile Communications for the Defence Evaluation Research Agency (an agency of the MoD).
In 1998 Adam formed aql, offering automated domain registration services prior to the internet “boom”. He is a consistent innovator, providing one of the first integrated mobile messaging platforms and in 2006 – allowing businesses to remind their customers via SMS. He was also responsible for the first business mobile WiFi voice service and in 2007, the UK’s main landline messaging hub. Since 2012 he has been responsible for much of the data flowing in and out of Yorkshire !
During his journey, he’s built datacentres, national networks, acquired several companies and has a prolific involvement in technology startups. His current involvements are a wireless operator, a cafe-bar, a software outsourcing business, a healthcare and child protection venture, a district heating energy export company and a wholesale telecommunications operator.
His focus on research and innovation continues to ensure that aql stays at the forefront of UK communications technology.
He's a patron of the Leeds Community Foundation and a board member of the Leeds Sustainable Development Group – an initiative centred around forward thinking city expansion. Adam has been instrumental in putting Leeds on the “internet map” and has created the main internet hub for Yorkshire within one of his Leeds City Centre datacentres. His work in helping the public understand “how the internet works” and how Leeds has achieved internet independence of London is helping the city become an autonomous digital centre.
Adam is also a founder and board member of IX Leeds – the only mutual, not for profit, internet exchange outside of London – the main internet peering hub for the north.
His interest in ‘Big Data’ has also led to the hosting of The Leeds Data Mill platform at aql.
The data mill is an aggregation point for organisations, public and private, to share their operational data in order to provide a dashboard for the City and to allow analysis to improve and measure City efficiency.
He’s also a Dad, cyclist, kayaker and runner.
Lesley Cowley [Non-Executive Director]
As well as being a Non-Executive Director of aql, Lesley is the first ever Chair of DVLA and a non-executive Director of CERT-UK, a Member of the British Computer Society Policy & Public Affairs Board and a Council Member of ICANN's Country Code Names Supporting Organisation.
She was previously CEO of Nominet, a role that she held from 2002-2014, after joining the organisation in 1999 as Operations Director. Under her leadership, Nominet became the trusted guardian of a vital part of the UK internet, providing services relied upon by millions of businesses and consumers. This success enabled £25m to be donated to its charitable foundation, the Nominet Trust, of which Lesley was a founding Trustee.
She has an MBA (with distinction) and an Honorary Doctorate in Technology. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, Institute of Credit Management and the British Computer Society.
Lesley was made OBE for services to the internet and e-commerce in 2011. In 2013, she was the recipient of the inaugural ICANN Leadership award and in 2014, she was named by the Sunday Times & Debretts as one of the 500 most influential people in the UK.
