In a world where people are becoming ever more cautious about the safety of their data, the data centre could be heading for a golden period.

Norwich Evening News: Inside the Migsolv data centre on the Bowthorpe Industrial Estate in Norwich. Picture: Paul HarrisonInside the Migsolv data centre on the Bowthorpe Industrial Estate in Norwich. Picture: Paul Harrison (Image: www.paulharrisonphoto.co.uk)

It could create a boon for companies like Future50 member Migsolv – which is seeing a fast rate of growth as more people seek a 'physical' solution to data storage.

David Manning, who formerly worked in operations at the Norwich-based firm, took over as managing director in 2016 to help the board realise its vision of making Migsolv the leading data centre in the East of England.

He estimates the company is currently seeing growth of 40% year-on-year as it explores opportunities in new industries.

It has recently taken a foray into the cryptocurrency world – which has resulted in its centre being use to 'mine' currencies.

Norwich Evening News: David Manning, managing director of Migsolv in Norwich. Picture: Paul HarrisonDavid Manning, managing director of Migsolv in Norwich. Picture: Paul Harrison (Image: www.paulharrisonphoto.co.uk)

'When I took over the business was really performing below its potential,' Mr Manning said.

'We set about looking at opportunities in oil and gas, renewables and the local tech sector to become the data centre of choice for organisations in and outside the region.

'We are operating quite a safe haven for critical data.'

Mr Manning said Migsolv is currently using around half of the 60,000 sq ft building it took over from Aviva, then Norwich Union, on the Bowthorpe Industrial Estate in 2011.

The firm holds data for private companies as well as the public sector on its servers.

Despite the growing popularity of cloud storage systems, Mr Manning said businesses still see the appeal of a physical data store.

'If you think about the way an organisation houses its critical data and the importance of it, we are the security element that wraps around that,' he said.

'There is a range of organisations [in Norfolk] which are seeing the benefit of a secure data centre in the local area.

'Putting data into a cloud service for some organisations may be all well and good but it can be harder to get confirmation of its receipt. We have seen an uptick in clients looking for that safe and secure solution.'

Migsolv employs 22 people, most of whom are in Norwich, with a team of four administrative staff in Surrey.

Last year it became only the second site in the UK to supply a connection to the super-fast Joint Academic Network – known as Janet – for small and medium businesses from its Bowthorpe facility.