Lee Crowe

CTO at AVC One

20+ years experience Wrexham Information Technology & Services Team of 51-200

Innovations and pioneer of Hosted Telephony and contact centre

CTO of the Year in Technology
Technology Director of the Year Award
Technology Leader of the Year Award

About Lee

Lee Crowe – Biography Lee Crowe is a 55-year-old telecommunications and technology professional, husband, and father to two children, Jessica and Connor. A former Royal Navy Electronics Warfare Specialist, I developed a passion for emerging technologies and innovation during his service. He also played rugby to a high standard and represented the Royal Navy, experiences that helped shape his competitive, disciplined, and determined approach to life. After leaving the Royal Navy, I began career in the IT industry in 1996. I went on to become recognised as a pioneer of hosted telephony in the UK, deploying one of the first telephony switches using data infrastructure—technology now widely known as Voice over IP (VoIP) in 2000. Driven by a “work hard, play harder” attitude, I am passionate about achieving results while making lasting memories with his family. His military background, technical expertise, and enthusiasm for innovation continue to influence both his professional and personal life.

Lee's video

A video from Lee is coming soon.

Proudest achievements

My proudest achievement is my two children, Jessica and Connor.
Jessica has followed her passion for horses and has studied and qualified as an Equine Veterinary Nurse. Connor is in his final year at university, studying for a degree in Policing, with ambitions to join the police.
Last, but certainly not least, my wife is the backbone of our family. Her unwavering support makes it possible for me to do what I do, particularly as my business commitments often require me to be away from home.

Find Lee online

Website LinkedIn X Facebook

About AVC One

AVC One is a UK telecommunications and managed communications provider specialising in hosted telephony, unified communications, connectivity and related IT services. Its hosted telephony is a business VoIP service delivered through AVC One’s network and UK-based data centres, without requiring customers to purchase and manage an on-site IP PBX Hosted telephony features include remote-office working, call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, click-to-dial, call transfer, conferencing and business caller ID. The company supports UK businesses through channel partners and offers associated services including broadband, Ethernet, MPLS networking, video conferencing and technical support. AVC One acquired Invicta Telephone Sales in 2021, expanding its services for SMEs, including telephone lines, call packages, hosted telephony and connectivity.

About Lee's team

The engineers and support team are the DNA of AVC One, the company I founded in 2013. Their technical expertise, dedication and commitment to delivering second-to-none service are central to our success. By consistently going above and beyond for our customers, they have become our best salespeople—earning trust, loyalty and recommendations through the quality of their work.

The journey

I joined the Royal Navy in May 1989 as an Electronics Warfare Specialist, serving until 1996. My time in the Navy developed the discipline, resilience and competitive spirit that continue to influence me today. After leaving the Navy, I moved to Oswestry and joined Total Network Solutions in 1996. I progressed through the company, eventually becoming Operations Director, before leaving in 2003 to establish my own business, Hipcom. At Hipcom, we deployed one of the UK’s first hosted telephony platforms. The company was later acquired by US-based BroadSoft, which was subsequently acquired by Cisco. After exiting the business, I founded AVC One in 2013, continuing to deliver hosted telephony through partners and directly to end customers. One of our most significant successes was supporting Kwik Fit with a hosted telephony solution for approximately 4,500 users across 780 locations throughout the UK and Ireland.

Why your vote matters

Vote for me because I have combined military discipline, technical innovation and entrepreneurial leadership to help shape the UK telecommunications industry. After serving as a Royal Navy Electronics Warfare Specialist, I began my IT career in 1996 and went on to pioneer hosted telephony in the UK. I later founded AVC One in 2013, continuing to deliver innovative communications solutions to businesses through both partners and direct customers. One of our proudest achievements was supporting Kwik Fit with a hosted telephony solution for 4,500 users across 780 locations in the UK and Ireland. However, my greatest strength is my team. Our engineers and support staff are the DNA of the company. Their expertise and commitment to delivering second-to-none service make them our best salespeople. I believe true technology leadership is about innovation, trust and people. It is about building solutions that make a genuine difference while creating a culture where teams can thrive. That is why I would be honoured to be recognised as CTO of the Year.

People's Choice

Voting has closed. Thank you to everyone who voted.

Lee's road to the ceremony

Nominated
Nominated on 5 October 2026
People's Choice vote
Voting opens soon
Finalists announced
Lee is a finalist
The awards ceremony
Thursday, 29 October 2026 at Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff CF11 8AZ, United Kingdom

The people behind Lee

Be the first to stand behind Lee: vote, and leave a message Lee will read.

Messages appear once checked against our community guidelines.

Vote for Lee