Our People
While our team is built from people of diverse backgrounds and professional experiences, we’re all heavily invested in one simple joint goal — to deliver managed IT support and consultancy that stands head and shoulders above our competition. Learn more about the people who have made our company the industry-leading, award-winning service it is today.
What we Do
IT Support Service For Your
Business
Optimising IT offer a diverse range of managed IT support. Our commitment to excellence is built into all aspects of our service.
Awards & Accreditations.
Our People
Meet Our People
Todd Gifford
Managing Director
Todd has been part of Optimising IT since February 2015 when he started as an IT Consultant. Since then, he has worked his way up to Managing Director and loves the fact there are no ‘typical’ days in this business. This business runs differently from every other one he’s worked in, and he believes it is all the better for it. Todd most enjoys coming up with new ideas, although he’s not sure everyone always likes them as much as he does! Outside of work, he loves spending time with his family and being outdoors.
Carrie-Ann Murphy
Customer Success Manager
Carrie-Ann Murphy joined Optimising IT in January 2020 as a Junior IT Support Engineer before progressing to a 2nd Line Support role in 2021. Having built strong relationships with our clients, she moved into an Account Manager position in 2022 and became our Customer Success Manager in 2026. Carrie-Ann works closely with clients and teams across the business to ensure customers receive the best possible experience and support. Whether she’s meeting with clients, coordinating internally, or helping to strengthen customer relationships, she’s passionate about delivering excellent service. When she’s not at her desk or visiting customers, you’ll often find Carrie-Ann enjoying a competitive game of Uno in the kitchen with the team. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and indulging in a little retail therapy.
James Midwinter
Proactive Team Lead
The career journey for James at Optimising IT began in November 2021 as an apprentice, and he has since progressed into the role of Proactive Team Lead. This means that he helps to improve processes and procedures as a company as well as fulfilling an active role as a member of the service desk. In his spare time outside of work, you’ll find him either in the gym or out on his bike.
Dan Burke
Operational Improvement Engineer
Dan’s role has evolved since joining us as an apprentice in September 2019, from becoming a IT Support Technician to taking on new challenges progressing into his new role of Operational Improvement Engineer, where he will focus on identifying opportunities to improve how we operate across service delivery, tooling, processes and ways of working, looking at what we do today, what we could do better, and helping turn good ideas into practical, measurable improvements. Outside of work, you’ll find him touring the countryside of Wales, the Cotswolds, or other places – such as British Superbikes – on his motorbike. Dan’s also into martial arts and is a 3rd Dan/Black Belt at Karate.
Paris Stanbrook
3rd Line Engineer
Paris joined Optimising IT in October of 2022 as an IT Support Apprentice and has since progressed to become a 3rd Line Engineer. Paris loves that the role is so varied, and no two days are ever the same, with something new to look into at any given moment. Outside of work, Paris likes to spend time with family and watch TV shows or can be found cheering behind a barrier at a live football game.
Ben Smith
Operations Director
Ben joined Optimising IT in October 2016 as a Project Engineer and has since progressed through a number of technical and leadership roles, including 3rd Line Engineer, 3rd Line Lead and Head of Consultancy, before becoming Operations Director. Today, Ben oversees day-to-day service delivery, SLA performance and operational improvement across our Proactive, 2nd Line and 3rd Line teams, helping to ensure clients receive the high level of service. Outside of work, Ben is a passionate sports fan!
Niall Aldridge
Professional Services Director
Niall joined Optimising IT in September 2014 as a Project Engineer and has since progressed through several technical and leadership roles, including Technical Consultant and Head of Projects, before becoming our Professional Services Director. The thing Niall enjoys most about his role is the opportunity to solve problems and make a real difference for clients. From improving project delivery processes and developing technology roadmaps to supporting the wider team, his days are varied, challenging and rewarding. Outside of work, Niall enjoys spending time with his family and making the most of a healthy work-life balance.
Steve Budding
Senior Account Manager
Steve joined the company in July 2023 as a Business Development Manager, before becoming Senior Account Manager in July 2024. He loves how every day is different with talking to clients or simply improving knowledge of the industry. Most of all what gets him out of bed in the mornings is knowing he works with a great team who also believe in putting our customers and their needs first. Outside of work most of Steve’s time is spent being ‘Dad’s taxi’ ferrying his daughter and son to their various clubs and events or with other parents on the sidelines, or in the bar!
Matt Cartwright
Customer Success Director
Matt first joined Optimising IT in February 2016 as a Service Desk Engineer. Since then, he has progressed through a number of roles, including Team Lead and Head of Service Delivery, before becoming our Customer Success Director. Day to day, Matt works closely with clients to support customer retention, strategic account reviews, renewals and account growth, helping organisations get the most value from their technology. Outside of work, he’s an avid tennis player and rugby fan. When he’s not acting as a taxi service for his two children and their various clubs, you’ll probably find him catching up on his guilty pleasure, Made in Chelsea.
Pete Last
IT Project Engineer
Before joining Optimising IT Pete had a very varied career from sheep farming to roofing, but the thread throughout has been in IT with some app and web development support and administration which set him up for his role as IT Project Engineer when he began in April 2023. The most satisfying part of the job for Pete is problem solving alongside the variety created by the tasks, projects and array of different clients. Beyond work Pete loves rock climbing, gaming online with friends or fixing up an old motorbike project he’s got on the go. He is also trying to teach himself to kitesurf!
Jack Smith
IT Project Engineer
Jack started working for Optimising IT in May 2019 as an IT Project Engineer and he really enjoys the huge diversity in the projects we deliver as well as the fact that every day is different with new challenges. Each one is an opportunity to learn new things and develop. Beyond work hours you’ll most likely find him either in the gym or out walking with his Cockapoo puppy.
Shilton Pereira
IT Support Technician
When he joined the company in April 2021, Shilton’s role was as an IT Field Engineer, but his role now is as an IT Support Technician which allows him to help customers and colleagues with problems and interesting issues every day. When he’s not at work he loves to play pool and video games and travel as much as he can.
Millie Chambers
Marketing Manager
Millie joined the Optimising IT team in January 2023 as Marketing Manager. Millie oversees all of the marketing activity from marketing strategy, to campaign management, all the way through to social media. Millie is also a member of the charity committee and works closely with the many charities that Optimising IT support. When not at work Millie enjoys spending time with her family and friends or exploring new places.
Bradlei Davison
Regional Sales Manager
Bradlei joined Optimising IT in October 2024 as a Regional Sales Manager, bringing a wealth of experience from his time working at Grey Matter Ltd, BCNS and as management for Acronyms Ltd and Nexus OS. He is driven by his love for people, relationship building and his passion for helping transform businesses and their IT strategies. Outside of work, Bradlei is a family man, living with two little boys, two cocker spaniels and his fiancé, Amy. He enjoys nothing more than a fine restaurant or a visit to the Just Eat app. Fun Fact: Bradlei used to play football with England international, and Aston Villa superstar, Ollie Watkins!
Dan Morgan
Service Desk Team Lead
Dan joined Optimising IT in April 2013 initially as a Service Desk Engineer before progressing to a role as Service Desk Team Lead. Day-to-day Dan provides a fantastic service to our customers and colleagues, through troubleshooting and offering support to all. Outside of work, Dan is all about sports – he loves to play golf, or you’ll find him out mountain biking. He’s also a football fan and has been a coach and club secretary for a local club, although he’s retiring this season!
Will McElroy
Service Desk Engineer
Will joined Optimising IT in February 2025 as a Service Desk Engineer. Will gets a lot of satisfaction out of helping our customers and he has a real passion for tech of all kinds. Will enjoys being exposed to new and developing technologies, and different methods of working in the IT world and beyond, and of course, working with a great team of like-minded people. When Will is not at work, he enjoys travelling and takes a couple of trips abroad a year. Will has a passion for music and can play a few instruments (cello and drums mainly), he loves spending time with friends and family and also enjoys a bit of gaming after work.
Chris Stackman
Projects Engineer
Chris Stackman joined Optimising IT in March 2025 as Projects Engineer. Chris has experience of both IT Support Desk and also IT Projects since 2010. When Chris is not at work he is busy with his 3 young children and enjoys playing football or darts, and even coaches football with Longford under 9s.
Henry Bending
IT Support Engineer
Before joining Optimising IT, Henry worked as a cabinet maker. Driven by a passion for technology, he started an IT Support Apprenticeship in February 2025 and successfully completed it with Distinction across both his coursework and final exam. Now an IT Support Engineer, Henry supports clients with everything from building devices to resolving service desk tickets, enjoying the variety and challenges each day brings. Outside of work, Henry enjoys gaming with friends, walking his dogs in the forest, and spending time travelling. He also spent a year volunteering at a SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) school, offering support wherever it was needed.
John Barker
Commercial Director
John joined Optimising IT in June 2026 as Commercial Director, bringing over 15 years of experience across sales and digital marketing roles, including senior Commercial positions at Yell, Archant and Reach plc. He is passionate about helping people and businesses achieve better outcomes through technology, supporting our sales and marketing teams, developing commercial strategy and building strong client relationships. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking his dog in the countryside and following rugby, having previously played at a semi-professional level. He is passionate about personal development and believes success is measured not only by achievements, but by staying authentic and making a positive impact on others.
Kate Berry
IT Support Engineer
Kate joined Optimising IT in 2016 as a Support Engineer. In her daily role, one thing she most enjoys is a service desk call that begins with “This is probably a silly/daft/quirky question, but…”- because these often lead to more challenging problems to solve. Beyond her desk, she’s a volunteer Racesafe Marshall, supporting British Superbike events as part of the ‘orange army’. Kate will be stationed at danger points around racetracks to assist in case of collisions, accidents or track problems.
Helen Laugharne
Business Manager
Helen joined Optimising IT in March 2024 as our Business Manager. Helen brings with her many years of experience after spending time working in hotels and serviced offices. Helen enjoys that her role is diverse and that no two days are the same. When Helen is not at work she can be found in a creative space, either drawing portraits or being crafty.
Annie Atkins
Senior Marketing Executive
Annie joined Optimising IT in May 2025 as our Marketing Executive, bringing a strong background in digital marketing and content creation. She enjoys the variety and constant learning that marketing offers. Outside of work, Annie is passionate about language learning, focusing on Korean, with some Mandarin and Japanese on the side. She also enjoys hiking, cooking, K-Dramas, and the occasional gaming session.
Oakley Watkins
IT Support Technician
Oakley joined Optimising IT as an IT Support Technician in April 2026, bringing with him previous experience as an IT Field Engineer. What Oakley enjoys most about his role is the variety it brings. Whether he’s carrying out site visits, meeting clients or getting hands-on with technical challenges, no two days are ever the same. Outside of work, Oakley is a car enthusiast and spends much of his free time working on his own car or attending car shows and meets. He also enjoys travelling with his partner and exploring new places together.
Join The Team
Ready to Make an Impact?
Join Our Team Today!
Our Gallery
Optimising IT in Photos
Company News
