What Chess ICT does

Chess ICT Limited is a privately held UK independent technology service provider founded in 1993 by David Pollock and headquartered at Alderley Park, Cheshire. The company delivers managed connectivity, cloud, hosted telephony, cybersecurity, and increasingly AI enablement services to more than 18,000 organisations across the UK, spanning small and medium businesses, large enterprises, and public sector bodies. It operates as a Microsoft Gold/Solutions Partner with multiple specializations and runs a multi-channel sales model combining direct field sales, inside sales, a channel partner programme with wholesale and billing infrastructure, and self-serve.

Core offerings span business connectivity and networking, Microsoft 365 and Azure cloud services, hosted and SIP telephony, the CyberLab managed security brand (consolidated in October 2023 around cybersecurity acquisitions), and a newer AI Solutions portfolio built on Microsoft Copilot and Azure AI that includes Agentic AI services and AI Accelerator Packages. The technical stack is predominantly Microsoft-centric, supplemented by acquired proprietary platforms from the more than 100 ICT and telecom acquisitions completed historically.

Chess makes money through recurring managed service contracts, telecommunications and connectivity resale, Microsoft licensing and cloud consumption pass-through, cybersecurity subscriptions under the CyberLab brand, and project-based AI and cloud implementation work. Go-to-market is a hybrid of direct enterprise sales, inside sales for SMB, a growing channel partner programme, and tuck-in acquisitions funded by a £50m+ acquisition war chest. With 240+ employees and customer counts in the tens of thousands, the business model is high-volume, long-tail SMB augmented by larger enterprise and public sector accounts acquired through M&A.

Name

Chess ICT

Legal name

Chess ICT Limited

Website

https://chessict.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Chess ICT is a UK-based managed technology service provider delivering connectivity, cloud, telephony, cybersecurity, and AI enablement services to more than 18,000 organisations, primarily SMBs with growing enterprise and public sector exposure via acquisitions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Alderley Edge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Managed Services: Recurring managed IT services including patching, threat detection, monitoring, and compliance management. Includes Cyber Essentials certification support.
2. Professional Services: Consultancy, project management, implementation, and technical consulting services. Charged as one-time projects or ongoing retainer arrangements.
3. Partner/Wholesale Services: Wholesale programmes for connectivity, Cloud PBX, and SIP products. Billing solutions for IT and telecommunications industry. Revenue from partner commissions and tariffs.
4. Cloud Infrastructure & Hosting: Azure hosting solutions, cloud infrastructure deployment, and migration services. Revenue from setup fees and ongoing hosting.
5. Device Sales: End user devices, servers, storage, and networking equipment sales.
6. Connectivity Products: Internet access, mobile, IoT, WAN/LAN, WiFi, and lines/calls services. Recurring connectivity and telecoms revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Chess ICT is an independent UK technology service provider delivering managed IT services, cloud infrastructure, unified communications, business connectivity, cybersecurity, AI, and digital transformation consultancy to over 18,000 organisations. Its portfolio spans Connect (Internet, Mobile, IoT, WAN/LAN, WiFi), Cloud (Microsoft 365, Azure, Cloud Voice, Contact Centre), Devices (Servers, End User Devices, Storage), Digital (AI, Power Platform, SharePoint, Automation), Security (Detect, Protect, Support, Certify), and Services (Managed Services, Consultancy, Project Management, Professional Services).

Product overview

Chess ICT operates as a comprehensive technology solutions provider offering an integrated portfolio across six categories: Connect (Internet, Mobile, IoT, Lines, Calls, WAN, LAN, WiFi), Cloud (Collaboration, Productivity/Microsoft 365, Public/Private Cloud, Business Continuity, Contact Centre, Cloud Voice), Devices (Servers, Networks, Storage, End User Devices), Digital (AI Solutions, Document/Content Management, Applications, Automation, BI & Data), Security (Detect, Protect, Support, Certify), and Services (Managed Services, Consultancy, Projects, Professional Services, Adoption). Their digital transformation practice includes specialized capabilities in Microsoft 365, Azure, SharePoint, Power Platform, Umbraco web development, and .NET software development. The company serves organizations of all sizes from small businesses (1-20 users) through to large enterprises (201+ users) and public sector clients. Chess ICT is a Microsoft Solutions Partner with multiple specializations and has completed over 100 acquisitions to expand its capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Chess Partner: Part of the Chess Group including Wholesale programmes and Billing division.
• CyberLab

Products and services

• Cloud Voice Cloud-based telephony and unified communications platform offered as a Gamma Platinum Partner, providing hosted telephony, business numbers, call management, and Contact Centre functionality for UK organisations.
• Teams Voice Microsoft Teams-native voice solution enabling cloud telephony within the Teams ecosystem for organisations adopting Teams as their collaboration platform.
• Microsoft 365 (Productivity) Microsoft 365 productivity suite delivery (Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint) including implementation, adoption, and optimisation services for UK organisations.
• Microsoft Azure Cloud Services Microsoft Azure cloud platform services including hosting, machine learning, and AI capabilities for organisations building cloud-based infrastructure and applications.
• Managed Services Comprehensive recurring IT managed services including patching, threat detection, monitoring, compliance management, and ongoing IT operations for UK organisations.
• AI Solutions Comprehensive AI services including Microsoft Copilot adoption, governance and security, AI Accelerator Packages for rapid deployment, and custom Agentic AI Solutions for automating complex multi-step workflows.
• Cybersecurity Services (Detect, Protect, Support, Certify) Cybersecurity services combining threat detection (including Dark Web Monitor for compromised credentials), protection, technical support, and certification support (Cyber Essentials) delivered under the CyberLab brand and Foursys/Armadillo heritage.
• Cloud Infrastructure (Public & Private Cloud) Public cloud (Azure) and private cloud hosting solutions, with cloud infrastructure design and deployment moving siloed systems to secure centralised environments.
• Connectivity Services Business connectivity solutions including broadband and leased line internet access, mobile services, IoT SIMs, traditional and VoIP lines and calls, WAN, LAN, and business WiFi.
• Devices (Servers, End User Devices, Storage) Server, networking, and storage hardware plus laptops, desktops, mobile devices, and accessories for business workforce, with device management solutions.
• Business Continuity (DRaaS, Backup as a Service) Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS), Backup as a Service including Microsoft 365 backup, and broader business continuity solutions to ensure operational resilience.
• Digital Transformation Consultancy Technology and business consulting services using the proprietary CDAS (Capture, Design, Approach, Solution) methodology for successful digital transformation outcomes.
• Web Development Website and web application development using Umbraco CMS, .NET, and C#, leveraging over 20 years of web development experience.
• Software Development Custom software development including .NET development with C#, application architecture, and system integration.
• Power Platform / BI & Data Microsoft Power Platform solutions including Power BI for business intelligence and reporting, Power Apps, and Power Automate for streamlining business processes and automation.
• Microsoft SharePoint Services Microsoft SharePoint customisation and optimisation services for enterprise content management, collaboration, and intranet solutions.
• Azure Virtual Desktop Secure, scalable Azure Virtual Desktop solutions replacing legacy systems and enabling flexible remote working.
• Cisco Meraki Networking Cisco Meraki cloud-managed networking solutions including wireless access points, switching, and security for organisations.
• Sage 200 Cloud Migration Sage 200 cloud migration and management services that move Sage 200 environments to Azure while keeping existing plugins intact.
• Contact Centre Cloud-based contact centre solutions for managing customer interactions across multiple channels.
• Document & Content Management Enterprise content management solutions including Microsoft SharePoint implementation and optimisation.
• Cloud Adoption / Change Management Change management and training services for cloud technology adoption including Teams rollouts, LMS training, and adoption programmes.
• Professional Services Implementation and technical professional services for technology deployments including Cloud Voice, Microsoft 365, and infrastructure projects.
• Project Management Digital project management services using PRINCE2, PSPO, and PSM methodologies to deliver technology programmes.
• Chess Partner Programme (Wholesale) Wholesale partner programme offering connectivity, Cloud PBX, and SIP products with bespoke commissions, bonuses, strategic business support, marketing materials, and dedicated Business Development Manager.
• iBill Billing Platform Scalable billing solution specifically designed for the IT and telecommunications industry providing total billing control for partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% improvement in business efficiency for Armstrong Craven
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability9 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft Gold Certified Partner with multiple Solutions Partner designations including Security, Data & AI, Infrastructure, and Digital & App Innovation. Provides Microsoft 365, Azure, Power Platform, Teams, SharePoint, and Copilot solutions.
• CiscocoreTechnology or IntegrationCisco partner with Core Security Specialisation, Powered Meraki Security, Powered Meraki Access, and Networking Specialisation. Provides networking equipment and Cisco Meraki solutions.
• GammacoreTechnology or IntegrationGamma Platinum Partner providing Chess Cloud Voice hosted telephony platform. Partnership enables cloud PBX, SIP products, and unified communications offerings.
• SophoscoreTechnology or IntegrationSophos partner with 10+ year Public Sector Partner of the Year award. Provides cybersecurity solutions including managed threat protection and endpoint security.
• AzurecoreTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft Azure platform partner providing cloud hosting, infrastructure, and AI services. Solutions include Azure Virtual Desktop and machine learning capabilities.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Softcat: UK-based IT infrastructure provider and Microsoft partner offering reseller, managed services, cloud, and connectivity to SMB, mid-market, and enterprise. Closest scaled public-market analogue to Chess in terms of product mix and go-to-market.
• Bytes Technology Group: UK IT software and services distributor/reseller with Microsoft, security, and cloud offerings to SMB and mid-market. Directly comparable product mix to Chess, more distribution-led than MSP-led.
• Daisy Corporate Services: UK managed services and connectivity provider of comparable scale serving SMB through enterprise with cloud, UC, and connectivity. Mirrors Chess's telecom roots and buy-and-build heritage.
• Maintel: UK provider of cloud, unified communications, and managed services to mid-market and enterprise. Direct overlap with Chess on Microsoft Teams Voice, Cloud Voice, and managed services.
• FluidOne: UK managed services and connectivity provider with channel/wholesale capabilities. Comparable to Chess's Partner Programme and unified communications offerings, especially following the Nasstar combination.
• BDR Group: UK managed services provider with Microsoft, security, and cloud focus. Highly comparable mid-market MSP peer to Chess with similar customer mix.
• Excalibur (Midwich Group): UK IT distribution and managed services business within the Midwich Group, focused on UC, networking, and cybersecurity. Comparable channel-led approach and SMB/mid-market focus to Chess.

Broad incumbents

• Computacenter: Larger UK-headquartered IT services and infrastructure provider with global reach. Competes with Chess in enterprise Microsoft and hybrid cloud engagements but operates at materially greater scale and broader footprint.
• Vodafone Business UK: Major UK enterprise connectivity and UC provider. Competes with Chess in mobile, IoT, lines, and calls; broader incumbent scale but limited managed IT services depth.

Emerging players

• Claranet: UK and European managed hosting and cloud services provider. Overlaps with Chess on Azure managed services and cloud migrations but more hosting-led than full MSP.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ChessICT#
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chess-ltd
• Xx.com/chess_ict_
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChessTelecom

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A21 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chess ICT