About the NetApp UserGroup
Who are we?
The UK NetApp User Group is an independent body made up of a governing committee of NetApp Users.
Membership Details
The UK NetApp User Group is an independent organisation which works closely with NetApp UK Ltd Limited and is funded by Corporate membership fees (download Membership application form)
Membership is open to all users who are in possession of at least one NetApp UK Ltd maintenance contract. The Corporate joining fee is per company and not per individual – each member company can bring up to 3 representatives along to any/all of our meetings.
Company Membership Fee £500.00 per annum (+vat)
Our subscription runs from 1st January to 31st December inclusive. For those organizations who wish to join throughout the year, a pro-rated rate is available. We also offer a reduced rate of £299 for all local government and universities. Please contact our administrator for details.
Money Off Incentive - 1st Year
What’s more, NetApp UK Ltd have offered to refund £500 off of any web-based NetApp University training course to all new members upon joining – ask our administrator for full details.
Partner Membership
Partner members are permitted to join the group but have to be in possession of a least one NetApp UK Ltd maintenance contract and be NetApp users - this forum is designed for Partner Technical Personnel
only - they must not use the group to solicit for business - should these rules be breached then the committee reserve the right to
withdraw the partners membership without refund. The fee for partner membership is as per above.
When/Where do we meet?
We meet every 3 to 4 months in different locations. The events themselves are highly focused one day events. Previous agendas can be viewed using the the Agendas link. The next meeting venue and date wil be shown on the home page of this website.
How do I join?
The UK NetApp User Group is an independent organisation which works closely with NetApp UK Ltd Limited and is funded by corporate membership fees. Membership is open to all users who are in possession of at least one NetApp UK Ltd maintenance contract. The Corporate joining fee is per company and not per individual – each member company can bring up to 3 representatives along to any/all of our meetings.
The Committee
Simon Govier is the current user group Chairman – Simon is a Senior solution designer within BTexact who has specialised in the design, deployment and operation of IP based solutions. He has a deep understanding.
Hoomi Chadirchi - Hoomi has been with ARM since its early days and was largely responsible for the development of the company's IT infrastructure. He and ARM have been NetApp customers since late 1997.
Simon Daykin works for Logicalis and joined the committee of the NetApp user group in 2006. Simon has been instrumental in the design and build of a number of NetApp environments over the years in various organisations. Simon is particularly interested in Data.
Alec Skinner - Alec works for HSBC Technical Support Services where he is responsible for the design and installation of the UK based NAS storage. HSBC are using a number of NetApp filers (FAS3020, FAS3050, FAS3040, FAS3070) and NAS equipment from other storage providers.
David Ovenden - David works for Arup, a global engineering design consultancy. He joined Arup in 1999 as a desk side support analyst, eventually joining the Data Storage team in 2008. Since then he has been part of the team responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of a number of NetApp solutions, including MS Exchange, VMware, Oracle, SQL and CIFS implementations. These solutions include multiple NetApp systems of various sizes from the smallest 2000 series to the top of the range 6280s. David enjoys running, and is keen supporter of Tottenham Hotspur!
Adrian Blackwell Adrian Blackwell joined British Airways in the early nineties as an Operational Research graduate but soon moved in to LAN administration and
technical support. Instrumental in the introduction of NetApp technology to
BA in 2002, and the subsequent development of configuration standards and
processes, he soon established himself as the company expert. Currently
holding the position of NAS Technical Architect he has responsibility for
the design, installation and supportability of all things NetApp in BA.
Outside of work Adrian owns and races a Stoxkart, and enjoys cycling the
towpaths of Britain's canal network. He joined the NUG committee in 2010.
Duncan Cosgrave
Duncan currently heads up the IT Storage Department at Swinton Insurance, where his projects have included Virtualisation, Application Performance improvements and Business Continuity - he is currently looking into the use of Public/Private cloud technologies to deliver infrastructure cost savings, Dynamic Provisioning Ability (Capacity on Demand), and further improvements to Business Continuity capabilities. Initially coming from a background in Construction Duncan built and designed his own home in 1997 and has continued to apply these forward thinking approaches to all aspect of his career.
Linda Symons and Sarah Palmer - Linda is the manager of the group and is assisted by Sarah. They are responsible for all day to day management issues, new members, event co-ordination and liaison between the user group and NetApp UK Ltd. Linda’s company also runs a number of other user groups within the IT marketplace. Please call Linda should you have any user group enquiry on 01189 784148.