Kocho welcomes Hannah Birch as new CEO

Kocho is delighted to announce that Hannah Birch has stepped into the role of CEO, bringing her extensive IT leadership experience to the company.

Hannah joins to continue the growth and success shaped by former CEO and co-founder, Des Lekerman, who’ll remain a key part of the Kocho team by taking his place on the board in a strategic advisory capacity.

While stepping away from the day to day operations, Des will remain a key part of the Kocho team, remaining on the board as a strategic advisor and shareholder.

Des’ legacy of transformation

Des steps aside after more than a decade in the CEO role. A period in which he’s been a driving force in cementing Kocho’s position as a Microsoft specialist and leader in identity, cybersecurity and managed IT services.

During this time his leadership has delivered:

• Four successful acquisitions, strengthening Kocho’s position in the market.
• Consistent growth, transforming the company into a trusted partner for organisations navigating digital transformation.
• Industry leadership, particularly in identity and cybersecurity, and cementing our status as a key Microsoft partner.

Reflecting on the change, Des shared:

“Hannah’s blend of leadership skills, industry knowledge, and entrepreneurial spirit makes her the ideal person to guide Kocho through its next chapter.

“Her extensive experience in managing and integrating acquisitions, coupled with her strong background in digital transformation and managed services, makes her well-suited to lead Kocho through its next phase of growth.”

Des’ vision and commitment have laid a solid foundation upon which Hannah, the leadership team, and the wider Kocho family can continue to flourish and grow.

Introducing Hannah Birch

Hannah’s appointment as CEO signals an exciting new phase for Kocho. She brings a wealth of experience gained from senior roles at some of the most renowned organisations in the technology sector.

This experience and expertise in driving business transformation, coupled with her strategic acumen, makes her the ideal candidate to lead Kocho into its next phase of growth.

Hannah’s career to date is defined by a track record of growth and innovation, with highlights including:

• Group MD at Node4: Led strategic initiatives, integrated four acquisitions, and spearheaded innovation.
• European MD at Ensono: Oversaw European operations, drove revenue growth, and managed cross-border integrations.
• MD at Accenture: Gained broad expertise across industries and technologies, serving on the UK&I Technology Board during her 11-year tenure.
• Leadership roles at Fujitsu and Computacenter: Delivered transformative technology solutions.

Sharing her vision for the future, Hannah emphasised Kocho’s commitment to supporting clients as they navigate new and evolving challenges, risks, and opportunities. A commitment based on Kocho’s customer-centric approach, cutting-edge technology stack, and its position as a leader in modern threat protection and cloud-first innovation.

“It’s a privilege to succeed Des and build on the strong foundation he’s established.” She said. “Kocho is at the forefront of cybersecurity and digital transformation, and I’m excited to work with such a talented team.

“Together, we’ll continue delivering innovative solutions that address our clients’ challenges in areas like threat protection, identity management, and secure cloud infrastructures.”

A new chapter for Kocho

The leadership transition builds on the strong foundation established by Des Lekerman, positioning Kocho to accelerate its growth and continue delivering innovative solutions under Hannah Birch’s guidance.

Under Hannah Birch’s guidance, Kocho is set to deepen its commitment to innovation and client success. With Hannah’s extensive experience in acquisitions and digital transformation, she’s well-positioned to steer the company towards ambitious goals, including:

• Expanding service capabilities: Continuing to deliver best-in-class cybersecurity, identity management, and managed IT services tailored to evolving client needs.
• Driving digital transformation: Helping clients modernise their IT infrastructures with secure cloud solutions and advanced identity management tools.
• Focusing on client-centric innovation: Strengthening Kocho’s reputation as a trusted partner by addressing complex challenges in areas like threat protection and secure digital operations.
• Pursuing strategic growth: Leveraging Kocho’s strong market position to expand into new sectors and geographies, supported by a robust partnership with Microsoft.

The entire Kocho team is energised by this new chapter, and we’re confident in Hannah’s ability to lead us to even greater achievements.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Des for his visionary leadership and welcome Hannah as she leads the business into the future.