Sir Nigel Knowles joins the board of IT competency hub

Legal supremo, Sir Nigel Knowles, has joined the board of IT competency hub, Practice Labs Systems Limited, as non-executive chairman.

Sir Nigel will advise the directors as the company explores new markets and prepares to enter additional territories.

Commenting on the appointment, Practice Labs co-founder, Ricky Doyle, said:

“Having been responsible for taking DLA Piper from a regional UK law practice to the world’s largest global business law firm, we are hugely excited to have the opportunity to benefit from Sir Nigel’s strategic insights and forward thinking as we enter our next phase of growth”.

Sir Nigel added:

“I have always found the technology sector fascinating and I’m impressed by the solution the Practice Labs team have created. Given the global shortage of IT skills, Practice Labs can play an instrumental role in ensuring both technology students and newbie IT engineers are able to cement theoretical IT knowledge with the all-important live work experience employers need.

“Earlier this year, Practice Labs was listed in the Financial Times’ list of the fastest growing companies in Europe, and has since opened new offices in the US and in South East Asia. The people-first ‘CREW’ culture that is embedded throughout Practice Labs has underpinned this achievement, and I look forward to supporting the team as they work towards fulfilling their ambitious expansion plans”.

About Sir Nigel Knowles: Originally from Sheffield, Sir Nigel was DLA Piper’s CEO and managing partner between 1996 and 2016, during which time he led the firm’s growth from a regional UK law firm to become the world’s largest global business law firm. Sir Nigel retired from DLA Piper in May 2017, and is now chairman of International law firm, DWF LLP. Sir Nigel has also served as the High Sheriff of Greater London, as the chairman of Sheffield City Region LEP, and as a council member of The Prince’s Trust.

About Practice Labs: Practice Labs is an IT competency hub where users can practice their IT skills, prove their proficiency to assessors and employers, and support their career progression. 

The Practice Labs solution consists of live (not simulated) IT Practice Labs and Exam Preps aligned with certifications from leading vendors such as CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco and VMware. The Practice Lab Environment (PLE) can be integrated with leading Learning Management Systems (LMSs) or accessed 24/7 via web browser. 

Practice Labs help cement the theory and knowledge gained from IT training by giving users the chance to practice, learn from their mistakes and gain confidence within a safe, live-lab environment. Exam Preps provide students with the opportunity to check their readiness for testing or certification.

The Practice Labs Environment also serves as a work experience hub, where users can gain mastery via a limitless number of real-world scenarios, emulating those they may encounter in the workplace.

The Practice Labs library currently consists of 350+ titles, made up of over 3,600 modules and in excess of 16,000 individual exercises. All modules can be ‘mixed and matched’ to create curriculum-based or system-linked Custom Labs. 

Practice Labs Systems Limited (former name I-Qubed Solutions Limited) is headquartered in Dartford, Kent. The company has offices in the United States, Australia and South East Asia.

During 2019, I-Qubed Solutions Limited was named by the Financial Times as one of the fastest growing companies in Europe; was recognised as one of the UK’s top 25 Business Culture Leaders and, closer to home, received the 2019 Most Innovative Business Award from Dartford Borough Council.

The Practice Labs’ unique CREW culture (Challenge, Respect, Enjoy, reWard) is embedded throughout the company, and is credited by its co-founders as the underpinning reason for its business success to date.