A Carlisle-based IT solutions company with an international client base is changing the way businesses approach their IT needs.
David Allen IT Solutions, led by 34-year-old director David Arnold, offers a comprehensive range of IT services and support to businesses of all shapes and sizes.
The firm provides remote support, hardware and software solutions, business phone systems, Microsoft 365 and cloud services and managed IT support packages to clients in the UK and across the world.
Set up in 2010 to help support customers from David Allen Accountants, the firm has expanded and is now Cumbria’s largest IT support business, with headquarters at Carlisle’s Kingmoor Business Park.
“Our core service is essentially being an outsourced IT department for all sorts of businesses and organisations. Many SMEs don’t have the budget or resources for a full-time IT department, and that’s where we come in,” said David.
Beginning his career as an apprentice accountant with David Allen, he left the firm to pursue his passion for IT, gradually building experience and customers all over the country.
Tired of the long hours spent driving to visit clients across the UK, he returned to David Allen when the company launched its IT services division.
“It was a perfect opportunity because I had the accountancy background, but I was passionate about IT and knew there was a huge potential for us to help businesses focus on their core services and let us worry about the technical side of things in the background.
“I had a lot of experience and exposure to the problems many businesses were facing with their IT systems, and I was confident I could bring that knowledge and skill set to the company,” said David.
Growing up in Longtown and a former student of Lochinvar School and William Howard Sixth Form, David was offered the role of director at the age of just 23 in 2013.
Having supported local businesses with his impressive IT knowledge during his apprenticeship, he was in a strong position to return as director of David Allen IT Solutions despite his young age.
Fast forward 10 years and the firm now has over 150 clients and 4,000 active monthly users from businesses in the UK, USA, Australia, Singapore and beyond.
The success of the firm is largely down to David’s confident but simple approach – understanding the client’s needs, excellent customer service, technical knowledge and investment in training staff.
With a workforce of 24, David says the firm’s USP lies in recruiting the right people.
“Technical knowledge is important of course, but for me it is vital that all of our technicians and support staff are passionate about meeting and exceeding the needs of our customers.
“It’s about making sure we have a deep understanding of what our clients need, for example a manufacturing business can’t afford to be offline for an hour – time is money, and I am willing to be on call 24 hours a day to ensure we offer that level of customer service.
“If a client in the Far East needs me at 2am, then I make sure we are there to deliver, whether it’s a website issue or a problem with email or phone systems, we are responsible for fixing that and getting the customer back online as soon as possible,” said David.
Such dedication and commitment has delivered a 99% satisfaction rating for the firm, with plans to continue expansion and double in size over the next 10 years.
One of the main factors in meeting the needs of every customer is developing an understanding of their brand identity and core values.
“We have to know each customer’s branding, mission statement and ethos inside and out, so that we know how to deliver the results they and their clients’ need.
“My job is to make the IT guys look like rock stars, and as far as the quality of our services and results go, we are the rock stars of the IT support world,” said David.
Many of the firm’s clients are from Cumbria and South West Scotland, across nuclear, hospitality, banking, legal and education sectors.
“It doesn’t matter what business sector or industry we’re working with, the mission is the same – to deliver the best results efficiently, professionally and to the highest standards.
“I am really proud of our work and the team that delivers it, we all share a passion for what we do and thrive on the exceptional feedback we get from our customers.
“Communication is so important, and building strong relationships is critical to our ongoing success and growth,” said David.
