A new man is at the helm of the Cumbrian telecoms specialist Online Systems.

Greg Morton succeeds David Newstead as managing director following an agreed management buyout.

Mr Morton was formerly head of sales at Online Systems, having joined the business as a field sales representative in 1998.

Originally from Sydney, Australia, he assumes day-to-day running of a 36-strong team based at Westmoor Road in Kingstown Industrial Estate, Carlisle.

The move follows the decision by Mr Newstead to retire, nearly 25 years since he started Online Systems with Barry Maxey, who was also part of the buy-out and remains with the company as a director.

In those early days the business was run from his mother-in-law’s dining room and its launch in 1992 coincided with the sending of the first ever text message.

The company now has an annual turnover in excess of £5m and provides software, phone systems, wide area network, mobile and WiFi solutions to the business, health, education and hospitality sectors across Cumbria and beyond.

It is partnered with global manufacturers Avaya and Samsung, with whom it holds a prestigious ‘platinum dealer’ accreditation – one of only 10 in the UK.

Mr Newstead, 57, said: “The telecoms industry has changed beyond all recognition since we started the business.

“But Online Systems has always been built on strong and long-lasting relationships with our customers and the desire to provide the very best service to suit their needs.

“Greg has been integral to our success over the years, developing many of our core relationships, and there is no doubt in my mind that the business is in safe hands with him and the existing team including Barry and engineering manager Rob Fulton.

“With good succession planning and with the management team it will be business a usual for our customers.”

Mr Newstead plans to spending time travelling with his wife Jenny, who is stepping down as a director, and seeing more of their granddaughter.

Mr Morton, who first came to Cumbria as a gap-year student in 1990 and now lives near Wigton with his wife Lynne, said he was looking forward to the challenge of taking the business forward.

He said: “Online is a proud Cumbrian business that I have been fortunate to have been a part of for nearly 20 years.

“I look forward to working with Barry, Rob and the rest of the team in taking the business on for years to come.

“I appreciate everything Dave and Jen have achieved and wish them all the best in their future plans. They deserve a rest.”