Novatech becomes the UK's first Proxmox Gold Partner

Novatech has become the first Proxmox Gold Partner in the UK, giving it the open-source virtualisation platform's highest partner status in the British market.

The accreditation comes as many organisations review their virtualisation suppliers in response to higher VMware renewal costs, particularly as contracts signed before Broadcom's acquisition begin to expire. It also strengthens Novatech's role in helping customers assess and migrate to Proxmox VE.

Proxmox VE is an open-source virtualisation platform that combines KVM virtual machines, LXC containers, software-defined storage and networking within a single management interface. Novatech will offer migration services, accredited training and round-the-clock UK-based support to customers using the platform.

The accreditation also marks a step in the company's broader shift from its hardware roots into infrastructure services. Over the past decade, Novatech has built its presence in enterprise infrastructure, AI platforms, high-performance computing and secure IT environments.

That shift in customer demand has been shaped partly by developments in the wider virtualisation market. Since Broadcom completed its acquisition of VMware in 2023, some customers have faced higher licensing charges and begun reassessing whether proprietary platforms remain the right fit for their long-term infrastructure plans.

For IT leaders, the issue goes beyond software procurement. Decisions about virtualisation affect cost control, supplier dependency, migration risk and the ability to maintain operational stability during infrastructure changes.

Novatech's Proxmox practice grew from requests by customers seeking support for open-source infrastructure projects. The company now positions itself as a UK specialist able to guide organisations from initial assessment through migration planning, implementation and training.

David Furby, Chief Executive Officer of Novatech, linked the announcement to the wider debate over infrastructure strategy.

"The conversation around virtualisation has fundamentally changed," said David Furby, Chief Executive Officer of Novatech. "What we're seeing is organisations assuming they have little choice but to absorb significantly higher licensing costs because that's the platform they've always relied on. We believe that's the wrong approach.

"Every leadership team should be asking whether continuing with the status quo is genuinely in the best interests of the business. This isn't simply an IT procurement decision any more. It's a strategic decision about controlling costs, reducing dependency on a single supplier and ensuring infrastructure investments continue to support growth over the long term.

"The organisations that take the time to review their options today are likely to emerge in a much stronger position tomorrow."

The Gold Partner designation reflects investment in the Proxmox ecosystem as well as certified expertise. In practical terms, it gives UK customers considering alternatives to VMware access to a domestic partner at the top tier of Proxmox accreditation.

Market pressure

The timing is likely to attract attention across both the channel and enterprise IT departments. Resellers and service providers seeking a local route into Proxmox now have a UK-based Gold-level partner, while end users considering a shift from VMware have another option for support during a potentially disruptive migration.

Novatech argues that many IT teams are already under pressure and lack the spare capacity to retrain quickly on a new virtualisation stack while maintaining day-to-day operations. That has created demand for partners able to provide planning, implementation and support under one contract rather than simply reselling software.

Furby said the company sees the new status as part of that broader role.

"We've built Novatech by helping ambitious organisations like Monzo and Octopus Energy solve technology challenges that don't have an off-the-shelf answer," said Furby. "Becoming the UK's first Proxmox Gold Partner is a natural extension of that philosophy. Organisations need trusted partners who can help them make confident, informed decisions about their future infrastructure, not simply sell them another software licence.

"Our role is to help businesses understand the options available, reduce the risk of change and ensure the decisions they make today continue to deliver value for years to come."

Support model

Novatech combines consultancy, migration planning, implementation, accredited Proxmox training and managed support. The approach is designed to reduce uncertainty for IT departments managing large-scale infrastructure changes.

Ross Collins, Head of Engineering at Novatech, said customers often need practical support alongside platform knowledge.

"When it comes to infrastructure change, IT teams are already stretched. They don't have time to become experts in a new platform overnight, and they can't afford unexpected downtime.

"Our role is to remove that uncertainty. We help customers assess their environment, build a migration roadmap, train their engineers and provide ongoing UK-based support, ensuring they have someone to call long after the implementation is complete. Becoming a Gold Partner is recognition of the capability we've built and the experience we've gained helping customers solve some of their most complex infrastructure challenges," said Collins.

Novatech counts Monzo, Octopus Energy, the University of Oxford and Imperial College among its customers.