Ward Solutions

What Ward Solutions does

Ward Solutions, operating under the Ekco trade name (legal entity Ekco Cloud Limited), is a Dublin-headquartered, security-first managed service provider serving mid-market and enterprise customers across Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. The company delivers an integrated portfolio spanning cybersecurity (managed detection and response, penetration testing, incident response, GRC and CISO-as-a-Service), managed cloud (Microsoft Azure, sovereign Ekco Cloud, hybrid, dedicated, and Kubernetes), business continuity (managed backup, disaster recovery, Ekco Airgap, SaaS backup), workspace services (Microsoft Modern Workplace, Microsoft Copilot, hosted desktop), and cloud consulting. Service delivery is differentiated by three proprietary platforms: Ekco Cloud for data residency, Ekco Sphere as a unified customer portal, and Ekco Airgap for ransomware-isolated backup.

The company operates a vertically focused go-to-market targeting financial services, legal, private equity, restructuring, charities and non-profits, and healthcare, with a named customer base that includes Grant Thornton, Aon, The Economist, World Rugby, Nike, Hostelworld, Royal British Legion, Langham Hall, Savills, and The Brain Tumour Charity. Pricing is quote-based on multi-year enterprise agreements rather than published tiers, and the business sells primarily through direct enterprise field sales, a channel partner programme (Lockstars Awards), and the Microsoft Azure Marketplace. The competitive position is anchored by an unusually broad certification stack — ISO 27001, ISO 20000-1, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials+, and CREST SOC and Penetration Testing — which functions as a regulatory moat in regulated verticals.

Revenue mechanics are dominated by recurring managed services subscriptions (managed IT, managed security, managed cloud, business continuity) supplemented by project-based professional services for cloud migration, modernisation, and advisory engagements. Leadership is anchored by Pat Larkin, co-founder and CEO. The company is privately held with no disclosed investors, parent company, or funding rounds in the source data.

Name

Ward Solutions

Legal name

Ekco Cloud Limited

Website

https://ward.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Ward Solutions / Ekco is a Dublin-based security-first managed service provider delivering cybersecurity, managed cloud, business continuity, workspace, and consulting services to enterprise and mid-market customers across Ireland, the UK, and the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cybersecurity and Managed IT Services

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Computer Facilities Management Services (541513), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Endpoint Security Managed Services (EDR/XDR) (BPAEADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Network Security Managed Services (Firewall/IDS/IPS/SASE) (BPAEADAG), Cloud Security Managed Services (CSPM/CWPP/CNAPP) (BPAEADAF), Backup & DR Software Implementation & Managed Platforms (BPAEALAI), Managed Workplace Services (DaaS/Workplace-as-a-Service) (BPAEAIAA)

Keywords

• Information security services
• Cybersecurity services
• Managed security services
• It support services
• Security consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Managed IT Services: Round-the-clock managed IT support and service management delivered as an ongoing subscription providing consistent, proactive management across all client infrastructure
2. Cybersecurity Services: Comprehensive security services including managed detection and response, penetration testing, incident response, and security consulting
3. Cloud Services: Managed cloud platforms covering public, hybrid, dedicated, and Kubernetes environments with connectivity and networking solutions
4. Professional Services: Consulting engagements including cloud migration, application modernisation, cloud best practices assessment, and implementation projects

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ward Solutions provides a full range of IT support services and Information Security Solutions from its Dublin headquarters. The broader operating business delivers cybersecurity, managed detection and response, managed cloud (Microsoft Azure, sovereign, hybrid, dedicated, Kubernetes), business continuity and disaster recovery, workspace services, cloud consultancy, and 24/7 service management, with proprietary platforms including a sovereign cloud, a unified customer portal, and an air-gapped backup solution. Services are delivered under multi-year custom enterprise agreements with subscription-based managed service and project-based professional service revenue streams.

Product overview

Ekco is a security-first Managed Service Provider offering an integrated portfolio of managed IT and security services. The core offerings include Cyber Security Services (with sub-services in strategy/GRC, cyber testing, managed detection and response, enterprise security, cloud security, and cyber talent), Managed Cloud Services (covering public cloud via Microsoft Azure, sovereign Ekco Cloud, hybrid, dedicated, and Kubernetes), Business Continuity (including Managed Backup, Disaster Recovery, Ekco Airgap, and SaaS Backup), Workspace Services (Microsoft Modern Workplace, Microsoft Copilot, Hosted Desktop), Cloud Consultancy, and Service Management & IT Support. These services are delivered through platforms including Ekco Sphere (customer portal) and are supported by 24/7 security team coverage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cyber Security Services

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Microsoft AzurecoreTechnology or IntegrationEkco provides Microsoft Azure managed services including infrastructure management, migration, and optimization. The partnership includes specialized competencies in Microsoft 365, Microsoft Defender, and Microsoft Copilot implementations. Services are available through Azure Marketplace for streamlined procurement.
• KubernetescoreTechnology or IntegrationEkco offers managed Kubernetes services for container orchestration, providing enterprise-grade Kubernetes deployment, management, and optimization across cloud environments.
• Channel PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEkco operates a channel partner program enabling resellers and managed service providers to deliver Ekco services to their customers. The program includes the Lockstars Awards to recognize partner excellence and achievements.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bridewell Consulting: UK-based cybersecurity and managed security services provider with CREST and NCSC credentials, focused on regulated industries. Direct competitor for UK enterprise security and MDR contracts.
• NCC Group: UK-listed cybersecurity and assurance firm delivering managed security, penetration testing and incident response across Europe. Closest publicly traded analogue to Ekco's CREST-accredited MSSP offering in size, geography and buyer profile.
• Orange Cyberdefense: European MSSP arm of Orange, providing managed detection and response, consulting and threat intelligence across multiple EU markets. Comparable in its European focus, sovereign positioning and tier-one customer set.
• WithSecure: Nordic-listed cybersecurity firm offering managed detection, endpoint protection and consulting across Europe. Comparable as a regional MSSP with strong regulatory and enterprise credentials targeting mid-market and large customers.
• Kaseya: Global MSP platform vendor providing RMM, security and backup tooling to managed service providers. Comparable as the underlying platform layer for many MSSPs serving SMB and mid-market, with overlapping buyer personas though different revenue model.

Broad incumbents

• Computacenter: Large UK- and Germany-listed IT services provider offering managed workplace, cloud, security and infrastructure services to enterprise customers. Overlaps with Ekco's managed cloud, workspace and security portfolio at the larger end of the market.
• Bechtle: Germany-listed European IT services and security provider with broad managed services, cloud and cybersecurity offerings. Comparable in European mid-market and enterprise coverage, though with a much larger scale.
• Softcat: UK-listed IT infrastructure and services reseller with growing managed services and security practice. Comparable in UK enterprise buyer profile, though Softcat is more product-resale heavy than Ekco's services-led model.
• Bytes Technology Group: UK-listed software and security reseller expanding into managed services. Comparable in UK enterprise customer base and security focus, with overlap on Microsoft ecosystem delivery.
• Capgemini: Global IT services and consulting firm with a large cybersecurity and cloud managed services practice. Competes with Ekco for large enterprise deals and serves as the upper bound of scale and capability in the same space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ekco-it
• Xx.com/wardsolutions

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Ward Solutions