Helping to solve end users’ critical business issues through technology in the most advantageous way means becoming a Managed Services Provider, according to Espria CEO Clinton Groome.
Here, he shares insights into how the MSP was created and will continue to deliver maximum value.
Groome co-led the merger of three firms to create Espria, which began life when Mode Solutions (then synonymous with print) acquired comms firm Nix in 2019 and rebranded to Mode Communication with backing from PE house Connection Capital. In 2022 Mode acquired IT and cloud business EACS and the group was rebranded as Espria, backed by Blackrock as well as Connection Capital.
“The Nix acquisition boosted scale and geography,” stated Groome. “To bolster our go-to-market we decided to acquire EACS which enhanced our Microsoft, security, storage, data and apps reporting play. We then pursued a wider strategy and went to market with two contact centre offerings to build on our UC proposition. In the long-term, we’ll be investing in the growth of contact centre and omnichannel solutions and evolve our cloud offerings for Azure and Microsoft 365. Our immediate goals include creating a more succinct portfolio of services while maturing the areas we’re already great at. We’re also focused on our sustainability strategy which is key to the future success of the business.”
We are also considering a true multi-cloud with greater focus on choosing the right platforms for each workload
Espria offers a number of solutions in the comms, document, cloud and IT space – ranging from being fully managed to break-fix across UCaaS, CCaaS, security and Microsoft offerings. Its key partners include Gamma, Pragma, Microsoft, Sophos, Mimecast, NetApp Xerox and Ricoh.
Espria works across all sectors and industries, has a 145 headcount and is forecasting circa £30 million revenue this year. “The key focus will be on winning net new business with customer seats varying from 50 to 5,000,” added Groome. “We’re also seeing steady growth with Gamma and Five 9 contact centre, the iPECS solutions via Pragma and growth in the CSP Microsoft and security space. Plus we’ve seen an increase in requests for support around data and apps as part of preparations for Microsoft Copilot. The new technology areas on our radar screen include SASE, MDR and XDR.”
Solutions focused
Groome characterises Espria as being ‘solutions-driven’, aiming to make businesses operate more easily and with greater cost-efficiency, while at the same time reflecting key technology changes. This encompasses a shift in the way managed services are delivered from traditional infrastructure support to a DevOps-oriented model, which Groome will consider as cloud offerings evolve. “In addition to our enterprise-as-a-service approach we are considering a true multi-cloud with greater focus on choosing the right platforms for each workload,” he said.
Groome is aiming to grow all areas of the business, particularly in the contact centre and omni-channel space with customers taking more services. He also plans to acquire a network company to complement the MSP’s wider offerings. “The most significant priority is the continuation of relationship building across customers and vendors,” stated Groome. “This will ensure that Espria is driving the right culture and providing the right managed service wrap.”