Headcount: 66 (+89%)
Specialism: Managed and cloud services
HQ: London
This fast-growing, London-based cloud services specialist has built its client base “entirely through word of mouth”, CEO Paul Coote tells us (see below).
Instant On IT’s average monthly headcount rose from 35 to 66 between its fiscal 2022 and 2025, with the tally since rising to 72.
Claiming to have 94% client retention rate since it was founded in 2004, the Microsoft partner moved into a new, bigger office in Hatton Garden last year.
View the wider Fast-Growth 50 here.
Q&A with Instant On IT CEO Paul Coote
How have you been able to increase headcount in a flat market?
We’ve grown our client base organically and expanded our AI/automation and security teams in response to customer demand and strategy.
With AI-driven chip shortages and sovereign cloud making headlines in 2026, what major trend will most affect your company?
Data. Building, ingesting and managing quality data – from internal systems, security and financial systems – essential for successful AI; the principle of “good in, good out” still applies. Poor data now costs AI money and opportunity, and as the market matures, capacity is reached, and the AI money investment train starts drying up, using AI efficiently and effectively will become increasingly important.
What’s a fact or quirk about your company most people won’t know about?
We’ve built our reputation and client base entirely through word of mouth, so it appears we’re doing something right.
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?
We expect to add more staff in analytics, system analysis and client management. Clients still want interaction with real humans, and that will become increasingly more important as AI usage spreads, so support headcount will still grow.
Name one thing you have planned for the next 12 months
We are rapidly adopting automation and AI throughout our organisation, helping us learn and support clients on their AI journeys.
