Leighton Searle in

Leighton Searle

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Chief Executive Officer at Cloud Direct
📍 Bath, England, United Kingdom

Leighton Searle is the CEO of Cloud Direct, a leading Microsoft partner, bringing extensive experience in executive leadership, AI, and cloud computing. He is known for driving transformative business outcomes through data and AI.

He is an AI optimist who believes in responsibly deployed innovation to amplify human potential, leading with clarity, high standards, and deep care for people.

Leighton joined Microsoft when his eldest child was two, and his youngest, who turns 18 soon, has literally grown up alongside his Microsoft career.

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Experience
25 Years
Current Role
Chief Executive Officer
Job Level
Leadership
Location
Bath, England, United Kingdom
Personality Overview

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Decision Approach
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Priorities

Topics Leighton cares about

AI Driven Transformation
As CEO of Cloud Direct and former Worldwide Head of CDO Advisors at Microsoft, Leighton focuses on empowering enterprises to achieve transformative business outcomes using data and AI.
Cloud Computing Leadership
He possesses strong skills in Cloud Computing and Microsoft Azure, having led Azure Solutions UK and now Cloud Direct, a prominent Microsoft partner.
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Career

Work history

12-2025
Chief Executive Officer
Cloud Direct
7-2025 - 12-2025
Worldwide Head of CDO Advisors (GBB)
Microsoft
1-2024 - 8-2025
Head of Data and AI: Europe Middle East and Africa
Microsoft
1-2019 - 1-2024
Director of Azure Solutions UK
Microsoft
7-2017 - 12-2018
Sector Director Professional Services
Microsoft
In the press

Media appearances

Leighton Searle appointed as CEO to drive new phase of AI …. Featured in Cloud Direct
See now
Leighton Searle on Cloud Direct's next chapter: delivering human‑led AI‑powered outcomes that matter. Featured in Technology Record
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Education
1997 - 2000
BSc
Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd
1988 - 1995
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Churchill Community School
Social presence
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Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

DISC behavioral profile

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