Headcount: 31 (+107%)
Specialism: IT managed services
HQ: Bristol
This Bristol-based MSP more than doubled average monthly headcount from 15 to 31 in its four most-recent years on record. It currently has 33 full-time employees.
Founded in 2016 by Jason Small and Phil Cater, the Microsoft, Datto and WatchGuard partner’s website features case studies with recruitment firms Talentia and SR2.
The onset of AI “changes where we add headcount rather than whether we add it”, CEO Emma Carter tells us (see below).
View the wider Fast-Growth 50 here.
Q&A with WestSpring IT CEO Emma Carter
How have you been able to increase headcount in a flat market?
We’ve grown primarily through organic demand – winning and retaining the right clients who are focused on leveraging technology to achieve their business objectives. As we’ve tightened our onboarding, processes and service consistency, we’ve been able to hire ahead of demand in key roles and invest heavily in training to keep the experience great as we scale.
What mega trend do you think will most shape the year for your company?
AI and security will continue to be a big part of our year – biggest trend, not as the generic chat or gimmickry we’ve seen in recent years, rather a focus on “AI enabled operations”. Clients are starting to understand how they can incorporate AI to enable automation, drive efficiency and grow productivity. They want to achieve this in practical, safe and measurable ways that reduce risk, protect their day-to-day operations, and genuinely improve how their business/people work day-to-day.
Which competitor or peer do you respect the most, and why?
We respect any MSP that stays genuinely client-centric while scaling – we know first-hand how maintaining consistent service and culture through growth is hard. Across the South West there are many MSPs who set the bar high, but we have a special place in our hearts for those like Chorus (Bristol), Computer Geeks (Bristol), SystemMagic (Bath), Mintivo (Lacock), and Elevate Cloud (Chippenham).
What’s a fact or quirk about your company most people won’t know about?
Although we have the classic pool table, ping pong table, and dart board (ours get used!), along with the bean-to-cup coffee machine and drinks fridge, the most popular coffee choice is decaf and the fridge is full of non-alcoholic beers/ciders, diet fizzy drinks, and still/sparkling water – seems our team are a healthy bunch!
Does the rise of AI and automation make it less likely you’ll continue to add headcount at the same rate in the coming years?
AI changes where we add headcount rather than whether we add it. We have invested six-figure numbers in systems this past 12 months – with a focus on automation removing repetitive work, improving reporting, and delivering efficiencies – but AI doesn’t take away the need for great people in client experience, knowledge and experience in security, and personal touch in service management and consultancy. If we use AI well, it should help our team do higher-value work and keep service consistent as we scale.
Name one thing you have planned for the next 12 months
We’re doubling down on delivering scalable service quality – strengthening our processes, reporting, and onboarding so every new client gets the same “WestSpring experience” as we grow. In parallel, we’ll keep investing in our people (training and development) and our commitment to our local community as part of being an employer of choice.
