Welsh MSP Pro-Networks becomes fully employee-owned business

Founder and managing director Paul Crudge retires and hands over the company to an employee owned trust

Welsh IT services provider Pro-Networks has become an entirely employee-owned business following the retirement of founder and managing director Paul Crudge.

Crudge has handed the business over to its employees through an employee owned trust, with each member of the workforce becoming a beneficiary through holding shares in the business as long as they remain an employee of the company.

A new board has been formed consisting of a new CEO, Geoff Coote, and two non-executive directors, Ian Traynor and Stephen Blank, who will also be chair.

The Microsoft Gold partner provides services including network monitoring, cloud, data backup and recovery, and Office365 support to 350 customers worldwide.

Its senior management team will continue to manage the day-to-day operations and commercial aspects of the business, with input from an employee advisory council.

"After almost 20 years with Pro-Networks, I am delighted to announce that I will be taking up the role of CEO within the company," Coote said.

"I will be supported by the new board along with a strong senior management team, with Leanne Tutill as financial controller, Simon Gainey as sales manager, Carl Jarvis as customer service and marketing manager, and Zig Kruschke as the support manager.

"There will be no changes to our terms and conditions, or in the way we work with our customers. Our name, the industry-leading service we deliver, our company number, and all other financial dealings with our customers and partners remain the same.

"Our focus will be more aligned with the employee and customer relationship - which is in our combined interests."