Five Years of Success & Shaping the Future

As IT Naturally celebrates its fifth birthday, CEO Richard Gardner is looking ahead with ambitious plans and a renewed focus.

As IT Naturally celebrates its fifth birthday, CEO Richard Gardner is looking ahead with ambitious plans and a renewed focus.

Over the next five years, IT Naturally is aiming to double its revenue while continuing to lead with purpose, sustainability, and a people-first approach at the heart of everything we do.

Before we look more at our vision for growth, let’s reflect on the last five years and our humble beginnings.

 

Starting from Zero

Reaching a five-year milestone is no small feat—especially when, in October 2019, most of the people involved in IT Naturally today, were facing redundancy and uncertainty.

Back then, the now CEOs Julie and Richard asked 24 people to join them in forming an MSP to support Condor Airlines, a company striving to stay afloat after the collapse of Thomas Cook.

“We had nothing but a desire to help Condor and to give a team of brilliant people a job following the liquidation of Thomas Cook. We set up Pure Impact Technology in six weeks, driven by a set of yet-to-be-defined values but based on being good for all,” Richard explains.

While the name didn’t stick (thankfully!), the values behind it still hold true today.

In just five years, IT Naturally has grown into an award-winning B Corp with top-tier accreditations including ISO9001, ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus, an amazing team, and IT Managed Services we’re proud to deliver.

 

A Vision for Growth

Since day one, IT Naturally has been about changing the face of the MSP market—offering great services for our customers without putting our profits before community and planet.

Looking ahead, we’re aiming to double in size while doubling down on our commitment to cutting our carbon footprint.

“As we grow, we’ll work closely with environmentally conscious suppliers and help our customers make informed, sustainable choices about IT consumption,” Richard says.

“It’s about balancing progress with purpose, ensuring that our impact on the planet is as positive as the impact we make for our customers.”

 

A Focus on People

Our ethos of being an excellent employer hasn’t wavered. We’ll keep investing in our people, fostering growth, well-being, and development while supporting local communities.

“We’ve been recognised as Employer of the Year twice now, which is incredible—but it’s also a reminder to keep putting our people first,” Richard adds.

 

Leadership Evolution

To support our ambitious goals, IT Naturally has announced a leadership restructuring. CEOs Julie Bishop and Richard Gardner will move into strategic board roles, focusing on governance and developing the company’s long-term vision.

Stepping up is Jess Blight, who has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer.

“This change allows the day-to-day operations to be led by Jess and the rest of the leadership team,” Richard shares. “Julie and I will be working more ‘on the business’ rather than ‘in the business’, handing the reigns of running the day-to-day business efficiently to Jess and the rest of the leadership team.”

Richard’s focus will now shift to business development and securing new opportunities for IT Naturally.

 

Celebrating Jess: From Project Manager to COO

Jess’s journey from IT project manager to COO is a testament to her dedication and leadership. Having worked with Richard for over six years, she played a pivotal role in IT Naturally’s early days, setting up the service management function.

“When I first met Jess at Thomas Cook many years ago, she didn’t even know what AWS or cloud computing was,” Richard recalls. “But she rolled up her sleeves, built the team, and never looked back.”

Jess reflects on her own journey:

“When I set out on the path to becoming COO, I never imagined how fulfilling it would be. Balancing full-time work and studying at Loughborough University over the past year wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. Those 18 months of growth, learning, and determination prepared me to take on this role with confidence.”

Jess credits the company for its unwavering support:

“A huge thank you to Julie, Richard, and everyone at IT Naturally for believing in me. The financial support for my studies and the time to focus on personal development have been invaluable. Without this backing, I wouldn’t have pushed myself to achieve what I have in such a short time.”

Looking ahead, Jess is clear on her focus:

“Over the next three years, my priority will be growing the business by staying ahead of industry changes, delivering excellence to our customers, and pushing forward with the B Corp purpose. Some say you can’t have it all, but with hard work and determination, I believe we can achieve our purpose of putting people and the planet first while delivering outstanding IT solutions.”

 

 

The Future is Bright

As IT Naturally steps into its next chapter, we’re poised for sustainable growth, innovation, and continued impact. With a strong leadership team, a focus on environmental and social responsibility, and a commitment to our people, the future is exciting.

“The last five years have been remarkable, and the next five promise to be even better,” Richard concludes.

Here’s to a future where IT Naturally continues to make IT seamless for our customers while driving positive change for people and the planet.