Award-winning office technology company IT@Spectrum has appointed a new Managing Director, ushering in a fresh chapter for the business under its next generation of leaders.
Principal shareholder Ken Sturdy has become Executive Chairman, with Operations Director Rob Cavill taking on the role of Managing Director.
Rob now has responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and operational management of the East Yorkshire-based company, working closely with Finance Director Katrina Ellam and joint Sales Directors Lee Evans and Graham Frankish.
Ken, who joined IT@Spectrum as a Trainee Engineer in 1984, a year after the business was founded, will relinquish hands-on control of the business, to focus on strategic projects and supporting and mentoring the new leadership team.
The management restructure repeats a successful formula which enabled the founders of the business to step back as Ken took control, initially as General Manager in 1998 and then as Managing Director following a management buy-out he led in 2003. Directors Tim Davison and Aeon Harwood, also part of the 2003 MBO team, continue to oversee Support and Software consultancy functions going forward.
A qualified lawyer, Rob practiced commercial and employment law for Lincoln-based law firm Langleys for a number of years before joining construction business Gelder Group in Lincoln, initially as Company Solicitor and then as Group Operations Manager.
Ken brought Rob into IT@Spectrum in October 2016 to lead the project to deliver the company’s £2.75m new-build offices at Bridgehead business park in Hessle – a game-changing move for the business and the biggest investment in its history.
Having delivered the challenging project on time and to budget, Rob joined the management team in January 2017 before being appointed to the Board as Operations Director in May 2017.
Speaking about the changes, Ken said: “We have a very ambitious business plan, which combines continuing organic growth with an acquisition strategy, and we now have a refreshed, dynamic team with a great combination of energy, enthusiasm and experience to deliver the plan and take the business to the next level.
“My MBO team was the vehicle through which the founders of IT@Spectrum achieved their succession plan. This is a proven formula for IT@Spectrum, which can be repeated.
“We have always recognised that succession planning is one of the biggest challenges facing independent businesses. As such, we remain focussed on developing and rewarding high-performing people throughout the organisation, sending out a clear message that we’re investing in talent and creating a sustainable future for the benefit of our customers, employees and supply chain.”
IT@Spectrum has more than 35 years of experience providing innovative solutions to enable organisations to print more efficiently, manage their data and information effectively and automate business processes.
Rob said: “I’m honoured to have this opportunity to lead IT@Spectrum into the next phase of our growth. It’s now my job, working with my senior colleagues, to drive our business plan and growth strategy.
“The engagement of our people is high on my agenda and I will work hard to retain a balance between professionalism and a strong culture, to ensure we continue to be a successful business.
“My other objectives include the growth of our marketing function, further development of automation within the business and the September launch of our exciting sales development programme, Spectrum Campus”.
The changes also create opportunities for IT@Spectrum’s sister company, telecoms and IT managed services provider The One Point, led by Managing Director Martin Lauer, which shares the Bridgehead offices.
Rob added: “We continue our successful collaboration with Martin and The One Point team, helping each other to achieve our growth objectives and enabling us to provide our customers with a comprehensive range of managed services to help their businesses prosper.”
