Central Networks and Technologies (Central) has recently announced the addition of two new members to its growing team. The recruitment of James Clarke as a technical engineer and James Robertson as a third line support engineer signifies Central's commitment to expanding its workforce and strengthening its capabilities to better serve its clients.

With the arrival of James Clarke, the firm gains a skilled technical engineer who brings a wealth of experience to the table. James started his career as an internal systems administrator and has since honed his expertise at various organisations, including Lima Networks and Frontline Consultancy and Business Services. His background in social housing and his extensive knowledge of cloud computing and virtualisation software Citrix make him an invaluable asset to the engineering team. James will primarily focus on project work, such as upgrading clients' Citrix environments and ensuring increased capacity to meet the growing demands of the industry. 

Also joining Central, James Robertson assumes the role of third line support engineer. With an impressive career spanning several decades, James brings a vast wealth of experience to the team. His previous role as a senior support and network engineer at Working IT Solutions and his speciality expertise as a senior engineer position him as a seasoned professional in the field. James will serve as a senior figure on the service desk, offering his expertise and guidance to the team while mentoring and upskilling other staff members.

"We are thrilled to welcome James Clarke and James Robertson to our team," said Nick Bowling, service desk manager at, Central Networks and Technologies. "Their extensive experience and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our company's goals. With their addition, we can continue to deliver exceptional technology solutions to our clients while further expanding our capabilities.”

The community we have created here at Central over the last 30 years is the beating heart of our business, and we wouldn’t have been able to provide a valued service that clients can rely on without it. With that in mind, we’ve been keen to spotlight our behind-the-scenes team as much as possible this year — from events attendance and goings-on at HQ, to demonstrated expertise, personal achievements outside of work, and more.

If you caught our first instalment of the series, you’ll know we had a very busy and fulfilling start to the year. And with plenty of events and client-related activity spanning the spring season, it’s been an equally pacey second quarter too! Here are some of the highlights…

Success in business is not just about technology and innovation. Crucially, it’s about building strong, honest relationships to — and the best way to build a fruitful partnership is by taking the time to connect on a personal level. That’s why our team was so pleased to join Jonathan Daniels at First Garden Cities Homes for tea last month.

This client's server cabinet was a tangled mess of cables and old, outdated hardware — difficult to navigate, and troubleshooting was a nightmare. After some much needed decommissioning and re-organisation by Andrew Walker, our technical engineer, the cabinet now looks much sleeker, and operations are far more streamlined too. Excellent work, Andrew!

It was a pleasure to be involved in the annual DTX 360 expo at Manchester Central earlier this month. With an expert speaker line-up delving into all-things IT strategy and innovation, and a host of like-minded professionals to knowledge-share with, it was great to hear about the exciting technologies and methodologies shaking up the industry.

…Plus, this clone trooper knows the ultimate 'force' in a tech event is a well-timed 'firewall' shot!

We had a wheel-y good weekend earlier this month, coming together for our latest team building exercise at our local go-karting haunt. The competition was fierce and the overalls even fiercer, but it was a well deserved win for our technical architect Jordan Gallier in the end, who dominated the leaderboard.

Following closely behind Jordan on the podium was finance and business manager Darren Crompton, with technical engineer Tom Lindley in third. Excellent effort, Central team!

That’s all for Q2! We’ll be back with more of this in September, to share what the Central team gets up to over the coming months. If you’re keen to see more in the meantime, don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Here at Central, people are at the heart of the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of everything we do.

We started out on our IT journey back in 1991, and our mission and ethos haven’t changed. We’re a family-run firm that pride ourselves on our integrity, honesty, and objectivity – and we make IT stress free by keeping it as simple as possible.

But it’s our people who make this all possible. Get to know them more in our staff spotlight.

Name: Andrew Walker
Job title: Technical Engineer
Department: Engineering

Sum up your role at Central in one sentence:

A very technical, hands-on role. whether I’m travelling across the country to attend customer sites and perform new instals and implementations, or assisting the service desk with specialist queries — I’m always keen to get involved.

What three words would your colleagues use to describe you?

Knowledgeable. Helpful. Enthusiastic.

And what do you enjoy most about your job?

The variety – no two days are ever the same. I don’t think I could sit behind the same desk day in and day out. From visiting different places and meeting new people to experiencing new situations and surroundings, the sense of diversity in my role is truly fulfilling.

Check your phone, what was the last emoji you sent?

Three laughing emojis — 😂😂😂.

Who was or is your biggest inspiration?

My son. He is the sweetest, most charming, and funniest little boy (doesn’t every parent say that about their kids!). He makes me so proud every day, and I hope he looks up to me like I look up to him (literally… he’s seven and nearly as tall as me!).

You’re hosting a three-course dinner party, what’s on the menu?

Nachos with sour cream and salsa dips for starter, homemade spaghetti bolognese — topped with mature cheddar cheese and paired with fresh garlic bread — for main, and apple crumble and ice cream for dessert.

Back to Central, what makes the company stand out?

We’re big enough to cope, but small enough to care. Everyone at Central works very closely together, with the ultimate goal of supporting our clients with their overarching IT and tech needs. We’re a group of likeminded professionals, and the enthusiasm and commitment that we all share is second to none. We get to know our customers very well and do everything we can to make them feel like more than just a ticket.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself we might not know:

I’ve been featured in the newspaper twice, and been on TV once — although not for the same reason.

What would the title of your autobiography be?

Life is a rollercoaster and we’re all here for the ride.

Central’s mission is to ‘restore faith in IT’ – tell us more about what this means to you:

IT is such a minefield, and with so many different fields under the same umbrella, it can be difficult to manage and control every aspect. The skillset of Central’s engineers and broad experience of working with so many different organisations allows us to recommend products and solutions to suit their bespoke requirements perfectly.

The customer no longer has to spend time researching and testing different products to find one that may fit. They can be confident in our ability to provide a solution and present it in a way that instils them with confidence, and allows them instead to focus on truly revenue-generating tasks internally. 

If you’d like to receive more news and updates from the Central team, why not head over to our Twitter page or connect with us on LinkedIn?

The community we have created here at Central over the last 30 years is the beating heart of our business, and we wouldn’t have been able to provide a valued service that clients can rely on without it. With that in mind, we’ve been keen to spotlight our behind-the-scenes team as much as possible this year — from events attendance and goings-on at HQ, to demonstrated expertise, personal achievements outside of work, and more.

It has certainly been a busy start to the year too! So, let’s see what they’ve been up to, in our first quarterly round-up…

Here, business development executive, Harley Mycock, joins cyber security specialist VIPRE’s partners-only event in Manchester. We’re always striving for continuous improvement in our relationships — and this was an excellent opportunity to develop trust, transparency, and disseminate knowledge with other like-minded professionals.

Did you know, January 31st is National Gorilla Suit Day? Clearly, John Blackburn, our operations director, was the only one who got the memo!

We couldn’t deliver our exemplary levels of service without the expertise of our team, as well as their ceaseless drive to learn and grow. A big shout out to our technical architect, Jordan Gallier, for putting his IPAF training to use recently — as he installed a new switch to help manufacturer Aflex Hose with its digitisation project.

Here’s a look at Central’s refurbished breakout room, fitted with brand new furniture and a games console. The significance of an area for colleagues to relax and socialise is emphasised in studies examining energy levels at work. It’s important for us to have a space for our team to rebuild their energy, in order to increase engagement, boost performance, and maximise productivity. From the looks of it, finance and business manager, Darren Crompton, and sales apprentice, Joe Mulkeen, are happy about the new digs!

Earlier this month, it was great to see our client director, Mike Dunleavy, catch up with our long-time client in social housing, Lee Walsh from Bron Afron. These relationships are sustained in and out of house, through engaging and honest communication and collaboration — which has allowed us to make positive differences to people’s lives over our last three decades of operation.

Congratulations to Darren for his hard work and dedication in receiving an Advanced Driving accreditation from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)! We are endlessly proud of our team’s  ability to achieve success both inside and outside of work. Anyone fancy a spin?

Well, there goes Q1! Don’t forget to check back in June, to see what else the Central team has been up to. In the meantime, why not follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter to catch more of the latest?

It’s no secret that the tech sector is facing increasing pressure on the employment front – not least because of the national IT skills shortage. 

But with custom learning routes available via apprenticeship programmes, organisations can not only help bridge the gap by enhancing recruitment options, but facilitate the ideation of fresh knowledge and perspectives too. 

Here at Central HQ, we’ve had a scheme dedicated to nurturing tomorrow’s talent since 2009 – set up by our very own client director, Mike Dunleavy.

And because we’re so proud of our apprentices’ willingness to dig deep and develop their expertise, and understand the impact they can have on a team first-hand, we’re keen to showcase and celebrate each and every one of them. Amidst the annual National Apprenticeship Week campaign, running from 6-10 February, this feels a particularly timely installment of this series, too. 

So, next up, it’s our help desk support officer, Finlay Grady. Take it away, Finlay…

Why did you choose a career in the IT and tech sector?

I was interested in tech from a young age — particularly gaming — and I was always keen to get involved in the ‘build side’ of this space. Whilst not exactly the same, following the IT and tech route has a similar ‘hands on’ appeal for me.

Why was an apprenticeship the right choice for you?

I’ve never been the biggest fan of academic work, so I wanted to go down a more practical route to develop my skill set.

And how did you first find out about Central’s apprenticeship programme?

In 2021, I approached an agency to help me find the best-fit employer, and they secured me an interview with Central. The rest is history!

What made Central stand out from other employers?

The opportunity the team was offering seemed more aligned with what I wanted, in terms of the scope of work, ‘on the ground’ experience, and overall culture of the organisation.

I’d previously been offered a social media marketing position at another company, but it just wasn’t technical enough for me.

Sum up your role in three words:

Varied. Teamwork. Resolution.

Can you tell us what a typical working day looks like for you?

As a help desk support officer, I’m largely responsible for responding to tickets that require first-line resolution. This could be anything from time-sensitive security concerns and general technical difficulties, to setting up new devices and resetting passwords.

Finish the sentence – the biggest misconception surrounding apprenticeships is…

That it’s a ‘cop out route’. Of course, it’s different to traditional university education, but there are so many qualifications available via apprenticeships.

What’s more, you’re able to get stuck straight into applied, real-life examples — working on something with a purpose, rather than being cooped up in a classroom. It sounds clichéd, but it’s great to feel like part of a team too.

What’s the most valuable skill you’ve learnt so far?

I couldn’t pinpoint anything specific, because I’ve learnt so much during the programme. But I’m so much more technically skilled than I was at the beginning — and understand such a vast and varied scope of work now.

How do you see your career path developing?

In all honesty, having only completed my apprenticeship in December, I’m not sure where my path will take me. And that’s okay!

As with any industry, there are so many aspects to the IT landscape, that it feels difficult to make a decision now. However, I’m enjoying what I do right now, and look forward to seeing my role develop organically, as and when the time is right.

Finally, do you have any advice for would-be apprentices?

Don’t doubt your abilities, or whether the path is the right one to follow — if you want to do an apprenticeship, just go for it. There are so many options out there, so there will be something for everyone, at any age or stage in their career.

If you’re keen to speak to Central about upcoming opportunities for apprentices or more generally, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

Here at Central, people are at the heart of the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of everything we do.

We started out on our IT journey back in 1991, and our mission and ethos haven’t changed. We’re a family-run firm that pride ourselves on our integrity, honesty, and objectivity – and we make IT stress free by keeping it as simple as possible.

But it’s our people who make this all possible. Get to know them more in our staff spotlight.

Name: Thomas Lindley
Job title:
Technical engineer
Department:
Engineering

Sum up your role at Central in one sentence:

The Azure Guru.

What three words would your colleagues use to describe you?

Helpful, knowledgeable, and comical (I hope!).

And what do you enjoy most about your job?

No two days are ever the same. We have customers with all different kinds of technologies, so supporting them means I am exposed to new challenges and scenarios all the time.

Check your phone, what was the last emoji you sent?

Crying laughing face (😂) and the monkey see no evil (🙈).

Who was or is your biggest inspiration?

It has to be my mum – she always made sure that I had everything I needed growing up and did everything she could for me and my brother.

You’re hosting a three-course dinner party, what’s on the menu?

Garlic and chilli prawns to start, steak, veg, and chunky chips for main, and a warm brownie with ice cream for dessert.

Back to Central, what makes the company stand out?

We have a team of highly skilled staff, who really care about our customers – meaning we always go out of our way to provide the best, most headache-free service possible.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself we might not know:

I’m a certified personal trainer!

What would the title of your autobiography be?

Don’t look back, you’re not going that way.

Central’s mission is to ‘restore faith in IT’ – tell us more about what this means to you:

There are a lot of IT companies out there that promise the earth but can’t back it up – or throw massive costs at the customer once they’ve signed. Central works with clients to provide the service they want, need, expect, and deserve – and we’re completely transparent from the get-go.

If you’d like to receive more news and updates from the Central team, why not head over to our Twitter page or connect with us on LinkedIn?

Here at Central, people are at the heart of the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of everything we do.

We started out on our IT journey back in 1991, and our mission and ethos haven’t changed. We’re a family-run firm that pride ourselves on our integrity, honesty, and objectivity – and we make IT stress free by keeping it as simple as possible.

But it’s our people who make this all possible. Get to know them more in our staff spotlight.

Name: John Dillnutt
Job title:
Purchasing Manager
Department:
Purchasing

Sum up your role at Central in one sentence:

Varied – no two days are the same, and my knowledge and expertise are always at the disposal of the Central team and customers alike, whenever they need it.

What three words would your colleagues use to describe you?

I’d like to think they’d say helpful, thorough, and professional.

And what do you enjoy most about your job?

Providing an excellent service for Central colleagues and our customers – and showing just how stress-free IT can be, with the right support in place.

Check your phone, what was the last emoji you sent?

😊 – a smiley face. It’s very versatile!

Who was or is your biggest inspiration?

Stephen Hawking – he never let his health issues get in the way of his success. He achieved great things, lived life to the full, and had a wicked sense of humour – just look at The Big Bang Theory and The Simpsons!

You’re hosting a three-course dinner party, what’s on the menu?

For starters, it would be scallops on a bed of crushed, minted peas, then a huge mixed grill for main (veggies beware!), and a homemade apple pie with ice cream for dessert.

Back to Central, what makes the company stand out?

Here at Central, we offer a friendly approach to put our clients at ease, in what can often be a daunting topic. We keep it simple and fuss-free, and get under the skin of organisations to provide a tailor-made package of products and services that meets their exact needs.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself we might not know:

I was lucky enough to have been chosen by the Football Association (FA) to officiate on a round of 16 game in the FA Vase back in 2018 – Stockton Town FC vs Stourport Swifts FC.

What would the title of your autobiography be?

‘Things Happen for A Reason – They Make You the Person You Are!’

Central’s mission is to ‘restore faith in IT’ – tell us more about what this means to you:

For me, it centres around the word ‘trust’. IT is such a substantial outlay for all organisations, and there needs to be confidence that an MSP can provide the most suitable solution for their circumstances.

Central have seen the full digital transformation from on-prem to cloud over its 30 years of operation. This speaks volumes – not only highlighting that we understand the industry inside out, but also showing how we have nurtured many clients through their IT journeys over the years.

If you’d like to receive more news and updates from the Central team, why not head over to our Twitter page or connect with us on LinkedIn?

Here at Central, people are at the heart of the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of everything we do.

We started out on our IT journey back in 1991, and our mission and ethos haven’t changed. We’re a family-run firm that pride ourselves on our integrity, honesty, and objectivity – and we make IT stress free by keeping it as simple as we can.

But it’s our people who make all of this possible. Get to know them a little better in our staff spotlight.

Name: Vicki Coleman
Job title: Operations Assistant
Department: Operations 

Sum up your role at Central in one sentence:

I transform orders from purchasing into full project plans and book in the engineers to carry out any works required. 

What three words would your colleagues use to describe you?

That’s a hard one as I am still relatively new, but I would hope helpful, funny, and probably old!

And what do you enjoy most about your job?

I am learning new things all the time, but I think the best thing is the people – I’ve been made to feel like part of the team since day one.

Check your phone, what was the last emoji you sent?

Dog Paws – 🐾. I have two Springers that I adore.

Who was, or is, your biggest inspiration?

My dad. He taught me you have to work hard for the things you want in life, which is a message I try to channel every day.

You’re hosting a three-course dinner party, what’s on the menu?

For starters, I’d have to say scallops, followed by a fillet steak – rare – with chunky chips, mushrooms, and tomatoes for main. And to top it off, I’d go for a classic vanilla cheesecake.

Back to Central, what makes the company stand out?

I would say it is definitely the people. They are a great team to work with and always go the extra mile for customers and colleagues alike, to ensure every experience is as headache-free as possible.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself we might not know:

I am a huge adrenaline junkie, and have completed over 30 bungee jumps in my time. I’m always looking for new challenges to get the excitement flowing. 

What would the title of your autobiography be?

Die with memories, not with dreams.

Central’s mission is to ‘restore faith in IT’ – tell us more about what this means to you:

I think some IT companies try to confuse customers with ‘tech talk’, but Central takes the time to explain the ins and outs of every offering – talking in layman’s terms to help bridge the gap, make IT stress-free and deliver the most appropriate solution.

If you’d like to receive more news and updates from the Central team, why not head over to our Twitter page or connect with us on LinkedIn?

Here at Central, people are at the heart of the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of everything we do.

We started out on our IT journey back in 1991, and our mission and ethos haven’t changed. We’re a family-run firm that pride ourselves on our integrity, honesty, and objectivity – and we make IT stress free by keeping it as simple as possible.

But it’s our people who make this all possible. Get to know them more in our staff spotlight.

Name: James MacPherson
Job title:
Helpdesk Support Officer
Department:
Support

Sum up your role at Central in one sentence:

I am a helpdesk support officer, so I deal with any first-line customer enquiries.

What three words would your colleagues use to describe you?

It’s technically four, but I think they’d say ‘fun’, ‘comic nerd’, and ‘old’.

And what do you enjoy most about your job?

Expanding my knowledge and skillset, as well as the people I work with – we always have fun throughout the day.

Check your phone, what was the last emoji you sent?

A smiley face – 😊. I use it all the time!

Who was or is your biggest inspiration?

My family, for sure. My wife is a million times funnier, smarter, and better than I am, and my children are exactly the same – they all make me smile constantly. Otherwise, Magneto – the Marvel character – also inspires me because he’s willing to do whatever it takes to defend what he believes in.

You’re hosting a three-course dinner party, what’s on the menu?

Pepsi Max Cherry, spicy Quorn nuggets and chips, and chocolate fudge cake – the basics. Everyone in the office knows I’m a big fan of Pepsi Max Cherry.

Back to Central, what makes the company stand out?

We all work together as one solid unit, whilst each bringing something different to the party. I think it’s important that we’re not all carbon copies of one another.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself we might not know:

I have A LOT of comics!

What would the title of your autobiography be?

It would probably be something like ‘The amazing adventures that you never knew you needed to read’ – or TAATYNKYNTR for short.

Central’s mission is to ‘restore faith in IT’ – tell us more about what this means to you:

It means being there for customers and tailoring our service to suit their needs. So many IT providers rely on automation to resolve an issue – even more so in this day and age – but that will never be the case for us. We want to be personable, dependable, and make others feel as though they’re a priority.

If you’d like to receive more news and updates from the Central team, why not head over to our Twitter page or connect with us on LinkedIn?

Here at Central, people are at the heart of the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of everything we do.

We started out on our IT journey back in 1991, and our mission and ethos haven’t changed. We’re a family-run firm that pride ourselves on our integrity, honesty, and objectivity – and we make IT stress free by keeping it as simple as possible.

But it’s our people who make this all possible. Get to know them more in our staff spotlight.

Name: Abdul Samad
Job title: Senior service desk engineer
Department: IT

Sum up your role at Central in one sentence:

I am a senior servicedesk engineer, assisting our customers with second- and third-line issues. I also provide support to other colleagues.

What three words would your colleagues use to describe you?

Polite, helpful, and approachable.

And what do you enjoy most about your job?

I love the exposure to new technologies and systems. I also relish opportunities to further develop myself and learn from others within my team – at Central, we’re like one big family.

Check your phone, what was the last emoji you sent?

A laughing face 🤣 – because I’m always positive and trying to make people laugh.

Who was or is your biggest inspiration?

My dad – he taught me it’s never too late to learn something new.

You’re hosting a three-course dinner party, what’s on the menu?

Lamb chops for starters, chicken jalfrezi with chapatis for main, and waffles for dessert.

Back to Central, what makes the company stand out?

We are a strong and close-knit team, and each person has their own unique skill set which helps us work together successfully.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself we might not know:

I am extremely interested in astronomy!

What would the title of your autobiography be?

Life is a journey, not a destination.

Central’s mission is to ‘restore faith in IT’ – tell us more about what this means to you:
For me, this is all about our people-centric, no-jargon approach to IT support. We know that the world of technology can be a confusing one, that’s why we always keep it simple and tailored to each client’s individual needs – we truly care about our customers and being an extension of their team.

If you’d like to receive more news and updates from the Central team, why not head over to our Twitter page or connect with us on LinkedIn?

IT'S WHAT WE DO.

Central Networks are a strategic technology partner. Excellent technology is a given, customer service, trust and long-term relationships are what drive our business. We support CEOs, Heads of IT, IT technicians and transformation directors to ensure technology provides an edge to their organisations.

© Central Networks & Technologies Ltd.
Byron House, Green Lane
Heywood OL10 2DY

T: +44 (0)1706 747474
E: info@centralnetworks.co.uk

Company No: 02604843
VAT: GB 562 6919 13

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions