Conservation Efforts with the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

Based just 20 miles from our headquarters, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is pivotal in maintaining biodiversity, climate protection, and public health through their conservation of wetlands. These ecosystems play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, protection against extreme weather, and climate change mitigation. Our support for WWT will aid them in continuing their vital work, ensuring these natural habitats receive the attention and protection they deserve.

Empowering Youth with the King’s Trust

At Emerge Digital, we attribute many of our achievements to the innovative and dynamic contributions of young talent. Partnering with the King’s Trust, we aim to support the next generation in acquiring skills, confidence, and opportunities to succeed. This collaboration underscores our investment in young people, reflecting our belief in nurturing potential to foster future leaders.

Supporting Animal Welfare at Cheltenham Animal Shelter

Following a company-wide vote, we have chosen to support the Cheltenham Animal Shelter. As a sanctuary for animals in need, the shelter represents our team’s dedication to compassionate, community-centric initiatives. Our involvement will help ensure that the shelter continues to provide necessary care and support for local animals awaiting their forever homes.

A Year of Active Engagement

Our plans for the coming year include fundraising through the events we run, direct donations, and awareness campaigns. While we’re still finalising the specifics, we’re excited about the potential to include volunteer activities that allow our team to engage directly and personally with our charity initiatives.

The hire rounds off a year of rapid growth for the company, which closed out its financial year with revenues reaching £3 million—an increase from £2.2 million in just 12 months. 

Recent figures from a UK government report indicate that the Managed Services Providers (MSP) market is growing at an estimated Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12% to 2027, meaning that Emerge Digital is outpacing the industry average currently with a CAGR of 33%. 

Mark, who also holds a business development role at Gloucester Rugby, will be focusing on unlocking opportunities in new markets, as part of Emerge Digital’s two-year growth plan to continue its trajectory and double its revenue by 2026. 

Emerge Digital rebranded in 2022 and updated its business offering to encompass a full suite of technology solutions including outsourced IT support, cloud services and cyber security. Since then, its revenue has grown 77% and its client base has expanded by 45%, serviced by a growing team of 20 staff members. 

After joining Gloucester Rugby in 2014, Mark played 168 times over a ten-year period for the club, while also being called-up for the Barbarians and England Rugby. Having recently made the transition from sport to business, Mark said:  

“Since leaving the game, I’ve wanted to challenge myself in a new industry, and what better industry than technology. Emerge Digital’s growth and determination piqued my interest, and I’m excited to bring my experience and drive to this new role. My existing relationship with Emerge through their partnership with Gloucester Rugby made this the perfect fit.” 

Mark’s hire also coincides with the sixth year of Emerge Digital’s partnership with Gloucester Rugby, a relationship which has seen the club enhance match day experiences for 250,000 fans, as well as staff and shareholders, by investing in new, state-of-the art technology, with the help of Emerge Digital. 

Nigel Church, CEO of Emerge Digital, added: “Transferring ambition from sport to business is a natural progression. Businesses thrive with ambitious, intelligent individuals who are driven by clear goals. Mark exemplifies these qualities in every respect.” 

About Emerge Digital

Emerge Digital is a technology and digital innovation business and Managed Services Provider (MSP) which provides solutions to SMEs that drive efficiency, competitiveness, and profit. Using comprehensive solutions, including outsourced IT support, cyber security, cloud infrastructure, and innovative technologies like process automation and data visualisation – Emerge Digital enables businesses to invest in technology that supports them in achieving their goals.    

With the sports and entertainment industry rapidly digitising, the rugby club recognises not only a need to keep up with current trends, but also the opportunity to offer more personalised, direct communications with its supporter base. 

A recent report revealed that revenues fell short of operating costs for all Rugby Premiership clubs, while fan attendances were down slightly on the year before. This highlights the need for evolution within the sport, a fact which Gloucester Rugby is keen to address, particularly through digital advancement. 

Having previously relied on a dated, legacy IT system which was unable to integrate with new, emerging technologies, Gloucester Rugby has modernised its digital infrastructure under the guidance of Emerge Digital. These investments include the installation of a new, high-tech, highly resilient Cisco Meraki network that gives the club massive opportunities for the expansion of its IP requirements, scaling in line with the club’s technology needs, as well as new security solutions, all of which will improve the club’s IT resiliency and capability. 

The new network will support the Club’s vision to move into a more data-led approach, better serving its supporters both in the stadium and outside, through personalised offerings and improved efficiencies. 

In the next three to five years, the club will also look to explore technology such as Internet Protocol (IP) TVs installed in all hospitality boxes and lounges, Internet of Things (IoT) implementation, and internal data analytics systems which would allow Gloucester Rugby to tailor its services and optimise individual visitor experiences. 

Nigel Church, CEO of Emerge Digital, said: “As a long-time fan of Gloucester Rugby and season ticket holder, it’s a pleasure to be working so closely with the club to create a significantly enhanced digital infrastructure, helping to support its continued development. The world of sport is changing, and we need to change with it. Sport, as with many other sectors, has seen a huge shift towards digitised ways of working, and it’s critical that teams no longer just compete on the field, but also across their entire infrastructure. This is business critical to the rugby club. 

“The need for technology within sport and the desire from fans to be engaged by clubs all year round isn’t likely to slow down. Gloucester Rugby recognise the potential impact both regionally and within the sport, and we’re delighted to be helping them implement technology in a well-considered and strategic manner.” 

Alex Brown, CEO of Gloucester Rugby, said: “Since the pandemic we have seen a rising demand for digitally enabled services to become a part of our matchday experiences. We know that there is an appetite from the fanbase for more technology-driven experience, and the recent implementations from Emerge Digital have given us some of the tools to deliver this, as part of our digital ambitions.“ 

About Emerge Digital

Emerge Digital is a technology and digital innovation business and Managed Services Provider (MSP) which provides solutions to SMEs that drive efficiency, competitiveness, and profit. Using comprehensive solutions, including outsourced IT support, cyber security, cloud infrastructure, and innovative technologies like AI, process automation, and data visualisation – Emerge Digital enables businesses to invest in technology that supports them in achieving their goals. 

ApexEnhance Copilot provides a comprehensive program for the adoption of Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365. This solution optimises data security and prepares employees for the transformative power of Copilot through a four-stage process: Get Ready, Onboard & Engage, Deliver Impact, and Extend & Optimise. The program includes user engagement, technical readiness reviews, customised training, and continuous support, ensuring businesses can fully leverage AI to enhance productivity and innovation.

ApexEnhance CRM delivers a robust customer relationship management system powered by the Microsoft Power Platform. This solution is designed for rapid deployment, is highly customisable, and connects seamlessly to Microsoft 365. The CRM enhances data management, improves customer interactions, and provides strategic insights through advanced analytics.

In such a competitive landscape, SMEs can’t afford to overlook the impact that technology can have on efficiency and productivity. ApexEnhance provides the tools, knowledge, and technical readiness necessary for small and medium businesses to not only keep up, but lead their industries. Emerge Digital is committed to ensuring that SMEs have access to the same advanced digital solutions as larger enterprises, levelling the playing field and driving sustainable growth.

Nigel Church, CEO of Emerge Digital, commented: “ApexEnhance is about delivering measurable results. Our solutions are designed to improve operational efficiency and customer engagement, ultimately driving business growth. We focus on empowering leaders with the tools they need to make informed decisions and achieve strategic objectives. With ApexEnhance, businesses can expect to see enhanced productivity and a tangible return on their technology investments.”

Tom Henson, Managing Director of Emerge Digital, added: “With ApexEnhance Copilot and CRM, we are delivering powerful solutions that transform everyday business operations. From the seamless integration of Copilot in Microsoft 365 to a robust, customisable CRM system, ApexEnhance helps users get more out of the Microsoft ecosystem that many businesses already utilise. Our goal is to ensure that our clients can harness these technologies to enhance productivity and foster a culture of continuous improvement.”

About Emerge Digital 

Emerge Digital is a technology and digital innovation business and Managed Services Provider (MSP) which provides solutions to SMEs that drive efficiency, competitiveness, and profit. Using comprehensive solutions, including outsourced IT support, cyber security, cloud infrastructure, and innovative technologies like AI, process automation, and data visualisation – Emerge Digital enables businesses to invest in technology that supports them in achieving their goals. 

Digital transformation is moving up the agenda for most businesses in 2024. According to a recent study from Statista, total global spending on digital transformation technology and services is set to reach nearly £2tn in the next 12 months. In the UK, the digital transformation market was worth over £27bn in 2022 and is expected to rise by 27.7% a year until 2030. 

Emerge Digital’s new IT transformation partnerships include OPS-BOX in Gloucester, Weston Aviation, Ritual Coffee Roasters and Circle2Success (C2S) in Cheltenham, and The HR Dept marking a period of sustained growth for Emerge Digital. These partnerships help make up £200k worth of contracts won by Emerge Digital in recent months, and have been instrumental in a 22.5% growth in Emerge Digital’s client base in the last 12 months. 

Working with The HR Dept, a national franchise network providing outsourced HR support to SMEs, Emerge Digital will modernise the company’s CRM system by creating and installing a new system that will be ready for the introduction of AI.  

Felicity Kenny, Managing Director of The HR Dept, said: “With 60+ franchisees across the UK and Republic of Ireland, creating a tailored and effective CRM system which works for each of our franchise businesses is crucial. Emerge Digital is developing a customised and user-friendly CRM system that will help the franchisees manage their client relationships, sales, and marketing activities as well as give us the capabilities to harness AI that will support our internal operations.” 

The technology provider is also providing IT support and cloud services to OPS-BOX, a leading business consultancy specialist in the South West. For Weston Aviation, a company that operates business aviation facilities in airports across the UK and Ireland along with private jet charters worldwide, Emerge Digital has implemented a modern and scalable customer telephony system and is managing a migration to Microsoft 365. 

Finally, Emerge Digital is providing the leading regional leadership network, C2S, with a modern CRM, which can be developed to fit its needs over time amid the organisation’s continued growth. 

Nigel Church, CEO of Emerge Digital, said: “It’s a privilege to be working alongside industry leaders across a wide array of sectors. All our new partnerships are embracing new technologies to streamline and enhance their service and product delivery for their customers and partners. These innovation and IT projects encapsulate the range of services and skills Emerge Digital offers.  

“Providing industry-leading IT and technology solutions from national franchisees to independent SMEs is at the core of what we do, and these recent additions to our client roster are testament to the great work we have been doing in recent months.” 

Pictured: Nigel Church, CEO of Emerge Digital (left), and Nick Weston, CEO of Weston Aviation (right).