A leading IT company is on cloud nine after growing its workforce and increasing turnover every year since a rescue buyout. And things are set to get even better for the team at Risc IT Solutions in Llandudno, as they look to take on three new staff and target a possible acquisition in a bid to further extend their footprint across the UK.
Speaking from the company’s stunning Church Walks headquarters, Managing Director Jeremy Keane revealed the pioneering cloud experts have enjoyed organic growth of up to 30% each year since 2013, when he, Joanna Stewart and original founder Paul Roberts bought the business back from parent company, Risc Group SA.
They now employ 16 people and work with 220 active resellers, delivering cutting edge cloud and IT Solutions for SMEs and anchor companies in a variety of sectors, from data security and protection to compliance and infrastructure.
Jeremy said they now plan to target more direct sales - a strategy ex Microsoft Business Development Director Mark Lawton is fully focused on. Leveraging Mark’s strong relationships and their partnership with global software and computing giant Microsoft is another platform on which he is hoping to build. “We have achieved a sustained period of growth and are looking to accelerate that, either through acquisition or direct sales,” said Jeremy, from Colwyn Bay. “We have consistently managed a 20% to 30% revenue increase every year since the management buyout and our team is growing all of the time, so the time is right for us to plough further ahead.”
He says an invitation to be part of the much-lauded Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme in 2016 played a major part in re-energising staff and setting a new course of direction. “We looked at areas where we could improve in-house and they supported us in numerous ways, from entrepreneurial advice to sourcing funds for projects,” said Jeremy. “It definitely had an impact as the outcomes are measured in jobs and growth, areas where we have succeeded in the past few years. “We have been steadily recruiting and will employ another three sales staff in the next financial year, possibly more. The milestones they set for us, and the ones we set for ourselves, have all been hit. That said, we always look for improvement and won’t rest on our laurels.”
Historically targeting businesses with between 50 and 500 employees Mark believes Risc’s reputation for customer service and credibility is what sets them apart from the rest. “Our ethos revolves around traditional values and cutting edge solutions, and no matter how much we grow we will not lose sight of that,” he said. “We deal with huge organisations, but they know when they call us it will be a select group of technical consultants who deal with the issue, so we retain that personal touch. “Some of these companies have been with Risc for a decade or more; we’ve even had staff going to the weddings of clients, such is the relationship that’s struck up while providing a first-class service and working in partnership.”
Jeremy and co-founder Paul Roberts set up the venture in 2001 later relocating from Milton Keynes to North Wales.
Further information on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme