Meet the Craftsmen

Simon Wilcox

Your role – Managing Director. I set up Digital Craftsmen 21 years ago after being inspired by Peter McBreen’s – Software Craftsmanship. It’s because I’d seen far too many businesses prioritise financial concerns over developer accountability and push one size fits all to their clients. Digital Craftsmen is the antithesis of this approach; everything we do is tailored and bespoke for each client and their specific needs.

Specialisms in the business – We provide specialised managed hosting for private, hybrid and public cloud and a full suite of cyber security services, including infrastructure design and built with security right from the start.

How long have you been at Digital Craftsmen – Since May 2002, 21 years and counting.

What makes the company so special in the services it offers to clients? Everything we do, we do to bring an extra level of service and value to our clients. We continually invest in our teams so they have the latest skills and training. Our tenth Investors In People Award recognise this ongoing commitment.

What are your hobbies/interests? – Umpiring cricket matches or in my carpentry workshop restoring a sailing boat. Learning to sail is next on the list.

Paul Orrock

Your role – Technical Director. I have over 25 years of experience in infrastructure, systems and security design, build and rollout for internal and cloud based applications.

Specialisms in the business – I am responsible for the delivery and continued support of multiple projects and infrastructures for both public and private sector clients.

How long have you been at Digital Craftsmen – I was the first employee to join Digital Craftsmen 19 years ago.

What makes the company so special in the services it offers to clients? – We have helped build our people and process-led design and delivery which underlies the “crafted” methodology of our company.

What are your hobbies/interests? – When not working I’m usually playing with IOT projects around the house.

Iain Stevenson

Your role – Finance Director

Specialisms in the business – Spreadsheet connoisseur

How long have you been at Digital Craftsmen – 11 years

What makes the company so special in the services it offers to clients? – We offer a bespoke approach to finding exactly what is right for each customer.

What are your hobbies/interests? – Football, cricket, swimming and carpentry

Ben Sanders

Your role – I am a Systems Thinker, Team Leader and Linux Systems Administrator with 22 years of experience in the IT industry spanning a wide range of technologies & industries.

Specialisms in the business – I constantly keep up to date with the evolving landscape of IT systems and methods; One of my roles within Digital Craftsmen is anticipating and planning for new systems and technological developments

How long have you been at Digital Craftsmen – Since January 2014.

What makes the company so special in the services it offers to clients? – We are different because of the lengths we go to design, build, manage and secure technology and data for our clients. Our clients see this, and it’s an absolute pleasure to have worked with them for the years we have, watching them grow from start-ups to leaders in their respective fields.

What are your hobbies/interests? – I’m married with children (3) and recently completed a First Class degree at the Open University. Outside of work I am a keen cyclist (XC and DH) and have far too many DIY projects.

Mark Harper

Your role –  Service Delivery/Information Security Manager. My role is to be responsible for taking ownership of the relationship held with our customers and for serving as an interface between the customer and the support team, ensuring that our customer’s technical, administration, and specialist support needs are met. I also manage the day-to-day running of our Information Security Management System (ISMS).

Specialisms in the business – Using my ISO27001 ISMS Foundation and Lead Implementer certifications to manage our Information Security Management System (ISMS). Point of contact for clients regarding non-technical requests/service renewals. Also using a previously gained BTEC Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques and LEAN Organisation to manage processes and look for opportunities for continuous improvement.

How long have you been at Digital Craftsmen – Since September 2016

What makes the company so special in the services it offers to clients? – We’re personal. Being a small company, everyone is involved from the start, from the service desk to the Managing Director. The variety of expert technical knowledge across such a small team means quick decisions, and many client issues can be resolved at the first contact.  We offer the chance to be face to face and not just be at the end of an email. We provide our clients with tools to help them to be better and interact with us to enhance their business.

What are your hobbies/interests? –  When I’m not working, most of my time is spent looking after my 2-year-old. But if I have time, I like to watch sport, particularly rugby, and tinker with electronics. I greatly enjoy creative cooking. Yes, the kitchen at home is mine. I also have 30 years in DIY so like to put my hand to fix or improve things around our home.

Sej Naul

Your role – Senior Service Delivery Manager. ITIL Strategic Leader & Prince2 Practitioner, my role at DCL is all things Service & Project. From pre-sales to onboarding and onto BAU, my role spans all areas to provide personal continuity to our clients. I have the pleasure of managing all the DCL clients from a Service & Commercial POV, championing them internally and ensuring that services are always over-delivering and transparent.

When I turn my attention internally, I specialise in optimising the service management capability of DCL, keeping up with the latest and best industry practices. For the last three years, I’ve been a speaker at the ITSMF Conference, the largest of its kind in Europe, espousing the benefits of a personal service management approach for greater client satisfaction and retention.

How long have you been at Digital Craftsmen – Since October 2017

What makes the company so special in the services it offers to clients? –  Our bespoke and tailored approach to collaboratively creating client services makes us different from other suppliers. In-house, we have the capability to provision systems on all public clouds at scale while curating high-functioning personal business relationships. I like to think of the services we offer as artisan products, carefully crafted solutions for each client no matter the size with people at the core of the process.

What are your hobbies/interests? – When I’m not taking on more DIY projects, or in the gym, I enjoy travelling (especially road trips) and spending time with the family.

Start the conversation, let's talk...