In a landscape where technology is rapidly evolving, Alan Stephenson-Brown, CEO of Evolve Business Group, combines innovative IT solutions with a commitment to simplicity and security.
Since 2005, Evolve has been on a mission to transform connectivity for multi-site enterprises across multiple sectors, providing tailored end-to-end IT and managed network solutions that are as reliable as they are easy to use.
Under Stephenson-Brown’s leadership, Evolve continues to set the standard for enterprise-class IT services, enabling organizations to stay compliant, connected and ahead of the competition in an increasingly digital world.
They are known for leveraging cutting-edge technology to provide reliable, secure and user-friendly business solutions with a strong focus on security. Their PCI DSS compliant solution is Level 1 certified and they are part of the Cyber Essentials Scheme. They also have ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications.
In November 2022 they acquired Preston-based IT company GB3 from EG Group, creating a leading IT services company in Lancashire. GB3, now renamed EvolveIT, has a team of over 60 talented professionals working across the company. This acquisition was followed in January 2023 by the formal acquisition and integration of Sheffield-based mobile operator 4G Voice and Data (4G VD), which specializes in offering the latest 4G and 5G mobile SIM cards and devices to the to meet growing demand for faster, more reliable mobile connectivity.
By offering a comprehensive range of end-to-end services, they simplify their customers’ business processes and save them money by providing a seamless experience, a single bill, and reducing the complexity of connectivity. Essentially, they ensure that the networks of retail, hospitality, fast food and petroleum franchises are compliant, protected and connected.
What is the main problem you solve for your customers?
Evolve was founded to serve multi-site brands that have been neglected by established technologies. We’ve branched out over the years and found that all sectors have certain issues in common.
For example, data management and protection against evolving cybersecurity threats and network and infrastructure issues. This includes internet service interruptions, ensuring IT infrastructure can scale with the business, and keeping physical IT infrastructure up to date and functional.
We also solve integration problems; Integrating legacy systems, ensuring different software solutions work seamlessly together, and migrating and managing cloud services.
Additionally, many of our customers have compliance issues. Achieving and maintaining PCI DSS compliance can require huge operational and technical investments, especially for companies whose core business does not have payment infrastructure. For a business that operates in multiple locations, such as gas stations or retailers, checking every POS terminal or gateway and the processes that accept card payments can be a logistical nightmare.
We help in two ways. First, because Mako’s SD-WAN technology is PCI DSS Level 1 certified PCI compliant SD-WAN and we are a Mako Platinum Partner, Evolve can tailor SD-WAN solutions with PCI Level 1 ‑Offer payment security certification.
Second, instead of wading through the 240-question assessment document for each location, IP address, and terminal to obtain PCI certification, the Evolve team can answer these for our customers. Of those 240 questions, 210 — or 90% — are answered by Evolve’s PCI compliance capabilities. The team can also guide companies on the path to full PCI audit compliance — something no other provider can offer.
What motivated you to start your company – did you want to change the status quo or was it a gap in the market that you could fill?
It was really both. First, we identified a gap in the market where legacy infrastructure was leaving brands with multiple locations in the lurch. Evolve Business Group was founded with the goal of providing these customers with a comprehensive, fully managed network solution under one roof. We recognized that organizations often struggle to find a single provider that can manage all aspects of their network, from design and implementation to maintenance and support.
But I think that by developing our own range of innovative solutions, we have also managed to turn the status quo on its head. For example, our latest implementation, Evolve Vision, is a groundbreaking product that gives companies a complete view of all their third-party providers in a single, easy-to-use portal, allowing connectivity issues to be identified before they impact business operations.
Designed with ease of use in mind, the dashboard allows customers to view the status of on-site or off-site suppliers such as payment solutions, gift cards and ePOS systems. This means that all data center connections and every connected device can be monitored 24/7. In fact, Vision updates every 30 seconds, allowing problems to be identified, reported and resolved, often before the customer, supplier or end user is even aware of them. This level of visibility is unique in the industry.
What are your brand values?
At Evolve, our foundation is based on three core values: curiosity, pace and dedication.
We believe in the power of curiosity to drive innovation, and our team is constantly exploring new ideas and seeking new perspectives to stay ahead in a dynamic world.
But in today’s fast-paced environment, agility is also crucial. That’s why we emphasize fast pace, ensuring we not only keep up but lead our industry while maintaining quality and doing things right the first time.
Finally, our commitment to our mission is unwavering. We are committed to delivering exceptional results and providing unparalleled value to our customers and partners.
These principles guide everything we do and continually drive us to excellence.
Do your values determine your decision-making process?
Absolutely. Company values are more than a box-ticking exercise. They provide a common framework that aligns decisions at all levels of the organization, ensuring the consistency of measures and strategies. I also strongly believe that teams are more motivated and engaged when they feel that their work is based on strong company values. When we make decisions that are consistent with core values, they tend to be more sustainable as they balance short-term gains with long-term goals and therefore play an important role in my decision-making process.
Is team culture an integral part of your company?
Yes, and I think that’s because we have strong corporate values that everyone can get behind. Team culture is a fundamental part of any successful company and impacts everything from productivity to innovation to customer satisfaction. It has always been important to me to create a positive and inclusive team culture; I believe this is the best way to achieve greater cohesion, resilience and long-term success.
What are you doing to show your team that you value them?
We have an Employee of the Month initiative to recognize team members who go above and beyond, but I think showing appreciation means always making people feel seen and heard. Therefore, I ensure that the leadership team, including myself, is always visible and available, and together we have cultivated a culture where everyone knows their voice is heard. I believe that when a company gives, its employees also give back. Give people something to strive for and a little autonomy and they will adapt.
Do you believe you are speaking directly and clearly to your consumers when it comes to your messaging?
When it comes to tone, we strive to find a balance between matter-of-factness and professionalism. personable, but so confident in our expertise that we can express ourselves directly. We know that not all of our customers are technology experts — but we don’t want to put them down either. It’s a fine line, but I think we do a good job of implementing it across all our communications, from the website to our 24/7 multilingual customer service team.
What are your views on inflation and interest rates – will you pass this on to your customers or will it take a hit on your margins and reward customer loyalty in these tougher times?
Unfortunately, rising inflation and rising interest rates are hitting businesses across all industries hard, and it is inevitable that some of the increased costs to businesses will sometimes be felt by the customer. At Evolve we always strive to provide exceptional value for money and we will continue to do so by only increasing prices when absolutely necessary due to increased supplier costs.
How often do you evaluate the data you collect and address your KPIs and why?
We evaluate quarterly when the data is analyzed during our board meetings.
Does technology play a much larger role in your day-to-day business?
Technology is at the heart of Evolve and has therefore always played an integral part of day-to-day operations.
But as customers’ needs change, we had to consider how we could leverage this technology to best meet their expectations. To this end, we have designed and built several of our solutions – including the latest; Evolve Vision – completely in-house. By spending more than 240 hours per week on development, we are able to develop technologies that solve the problems our customers face every day and create solutions that actually simplify connectivity. It also makes it possible to monitor the progress of the project, make changes to projects more quickly and accelerate implementation.
What is your attitude towards your competitors?
I think it’s important to use competition as motivation for continuous improvement and innovation, so I keep an eye on what other MSPs are doing, but I think Evolve has such a unique offering that it’s not really my focus. The team’s focus is on innovation, customer satisfaction and maintaining our position as an industry leader. It’s important to prioritize understanding and meeting customer needs over trying to outdo the competition. The goal should be to deliver exceptional value.
Do you have any advice for someone starting out in business?
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of your research. Starting a business without proper research increases the likelihood that you will encounter obstacles that could derail your plans. Investing time and effort into doing your homework is the best way to lay a solid foundation for informed decisions and business success. Once you get started, I would advise you to trust your instincts and do what feels right every now and then.
Being the key decision maker in the company can be lonely and stressful. What do you do to relax, recharge, and sharpen your focus?
I think in another life I would have been a chef — I’ve always really enjoyed cooking and it’s still something I do to unwind. I also think that the skills you use in cooking can be transferred to other areas of life and work; It requires attention to detail, balancing different tasks and effective time management.
Do you believe in the 12-week working method or do you develop much longer planning strategies?
So it’s a system that approaches goals as short-term sprints. The theory goes that it forces you to act with urgency and focus on what matters most to avoid the pitfalls that come with more “annualized thinking.”
I believe this is an effective method and at Evolve our planning strategies are reviewed very frequently. We run bi-weekly development sprints where we reference the company’s KPIs, which then feed into the traditional annual business goals, with quarterly interventions to ensure we can adjust strategies as needed.
What is your company’s environmental strategy?
At Evolve, we recognize that our business activities have an impact on the environment. Therefore, we are committed to improving the environment and are aware of our responsibility to manage and minimize the environmental impact of our activities, products and services. We strive to lead the industry with a new level of environmental awareness and have shared a commitment to continuous improvement.
In addition to determining the environmental impact of our activities and complying with relevant laws, regulations and other requirements, we have developed goals, objectives and management programs and adopted appropriate operating procedures to minimize our environmental impact. We also ensure that all employees understand the environmental impact of their roles by providing them with training, guidance and up-to-date information.
What three things do you hope to have implemented within the next 12 months?
It’s been a really exciting few months for Evolve. As part of our growth strategy, we have made several high-profile hires to the leadership team, which will bear fruit in the coming year. Our goal is to be the leading managed network provider and we will continue to work toward this goal by providing the innovative solutions, exceptional customer service and robust network security we are known for.
