What Black Bear I.T Solutions does

Black Bear IT Solutions Ltd is a Lancaster-based managed IT services provider that has operated continuously since 1996 (originally as Black Box Industries, rebranded to Black Bear in 2010 following a trademark dispute). The firm delivers four primary services — Complete Managed IT Support with 24/7/365 engineer cover and proactive monitoring, Hosted Cloud Solutions running on company-owned and configured servers located in Manchester, VoIP telephony powered by 3CX and Gamma supporting 5-to-1,000+ users, and System Audits for IT spend and performance optimization. Customer concentration is targeted at small and medium businesses that require outsourced IT infrastructure management rather than an in-house team, primarily across the North West of England, with international VoIP connectivity extending to US and China-based offices of UK clients. Two affiliated entities broaden the group's surface area: wholly-owned Black Bear Computers (a Lancaster retail storefront serving home users and completing over 1,500 repairs annually) and jointly-controlled Havmore (a web development joint venture with Easy Websites).

The technology stack combines conventional MSP tooling — SonicWall, Veeam, Datto, Microsoft, Yealink — with proprietary operational depth around owned server hardware in Manchester and 3CX Silver Partner certification. Distribution is sales-led: direct outreach to mid-market prospects, the company's website as a digital storefront, phone-driven inbound enquiries, and word-of-mouth referrals. Group leadership sits with sole owner and Managing Director Richard Alford, who took over the business in 2010 and received the 2018 IT CEO of the Year award from the Global CEO Excellence Awards.

The revenue model blends recurring managed service subscriptions (the structural backbone), professional services from system audits and consulting, hardware resales through Black Bear Computers, and VoIP subscription packages that typically include free UK calls. There is no disclosed external funding, no PE/VC ownership, and no acquisitions since the 2008 purchase of ISSO Technologies, which seeded the commercial-services division. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly listed, and the company operates from a single headquarters at 2 Norfolk Street, Lancaster.

Name

Black Bear I.T Solutions

Legal name

Black Bear IT Solutions Ltd

Website

https://blackbearitsolutions.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Black Bear IT Solutions is a Lancaster-based UK managed IT services provider delivering 24/7 managed support, hosted cloud infrastructure, VoIP telephony, and system audits to small and medium businesses primarily across the North West of England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Managed IT Services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Backup, Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity (BCDR) Services (BPAEABAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

IT Procurement & Sourcing Services (Hardware/Software) (BPAEAOAG)

Keywords

• Managed IT services
• IT infrastructure support
• Hosted cloud solutions
• Business VoIP systems
• IT system audits

Headquarters

HQ city

Lancaster

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Managed IT Support Contracts: Recurring managed support contracts for entire IT infrastructure, including 24/7 engineer availability, proactive monitoring, and system management. Benefits include financial gains and removal of pain of staffing internal IT department.
2. System Audits and IT Consulting: Business IT system audits to understand IT setup, identify unnecessary hardware, improve performance, and enable appropriate investment in IT infrastructure.
3. Hardware and Technology Sales: Sale of IT hardware including components, peripherals, bespoke gaming PCs, laptops, and business technology solutions through affiliated Black Bear Computers retailer.
4. VoIP Phone Systems: VOIP/SIP telephone solutions with various pricing packages, most including free calls to UK landlines and mobiles.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Black Bear IT Solutions delivers managed IT support contracts covering a business's entire IT infrastructure, with 24/7 engineer availability and proactive monitoring that detects issues such as overheating PCs, failing hard drives, viruses and ransomware before they cause downtime. Complementary offerings include bespoke cloud/hosted solutions on company-owned servers in Manchester, 3CX/Gamma-powered VoIP phone systems, and IT system audits to identify unnecessary hardware and optimize performance.

Product overview

Black Bear IT Solutions offers a portfolio of four distinct managed IT services rather than a unified software platform. The core offerings are: Complete IT Support (Managed Services Provider) providing 24/7 proactive monitoring and system management; Hosted Solutions delivering cloud-based servers owned and configured by the company with data centers in Manchester; VoIP Phones powered by 3CX and Gamma for desk, mobile, app, and PC-based phone systems; and System Audits for analyzing and optimizing business IT infrastructure. These services are positioned as complementary managed offerings for businesses rather than a platform with integrated modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Complete IT Support (Managed Services Provider) Managed IT support contract providing 24/7 engineer availability 365 days per year with proactive monitoring and system management of a customer's entire IT infrastructure, detecting issues such as overheating PCs, failing hard drives, viruses and ransomware before they cause downtime; targeted at businesses without an internal IT department.
• Hosted Solutions Bespoke cloud/hosted business solutions running on servers configured, deployed and owned by Black Bear IT Solutions in Manchester, allowing infrastructure to scale up or down to match headcount and seasonal or project-based staffing changes.
• VoIP Phones VoIP/SIP telephone solutions powered by 3CX and Gamma, supporting deployments from 5 users to over 1,000 users; provides desk phones, cordless phones, and Android/iOS/PC-based softphones, with international connectivity to the US and China on UK phone numbers and free UK landline and mobile calls in most packages.
• System Audits IT system audits that analyse a business's existing IT setup, identify unnecessary or under-performing hardware, and recommend appropriate investment to optimise system performance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Detect IT issues (overheating, hard drive failure, viruses, ransomware) before they cause downtime
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 3CXcoreTechnology or IntegrationBlack Bear IT Solutions is a registered 3CX Silver Partner with 3CX Certified Engineers. VoIP PBXs are powered by 3CX providing crystal clear calls from user-friendly systems via desk phones, cordless phones, Android & iOS apps, or PC-based phones.
• GammacoreTechnology or IntegrationVoIP PBXs are powered by Gamma in partnership with 3CX to provide telephone solutions.
• Network GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational IT body where Black Bear IT has been finalist for Managed Service Provider of the Year, logo displayed on partner companies page.
• Havmore (with Easy Websites)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWeb development company launched by Black Bear IT with Easy Websites to provide trusted web development services for Black Bear IT clients.
• Black Bear ComputerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliated Lancaster-based award winning retailer serving home users with components, peripherals, gaming PCs, laptops, and over 1500 repairs per year. Separated from commercial services division in 2018.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Softcat: LSE-listed UK IT infrastructure provider and reseller offering software, hardware, cloud, and services to organisations of all sizes — broader portfolio than Black Bear but overlapping customer base in UK SMB/mid-market.
• iomart: AIM-listed UK managed cloud services company providing hosting, managed services, and infrastructure to UK and international customers — overlapping with Black Bear's hosted solutions and managed infrastructure offering.

Direct peers

• Apogee Corporation: UK managed services and workplace technology provider offering IT support, cloud, and communications to SMB and mid-market customers; comparable service breadth and customer segment.
• Netstar UK: UK-based managed IT services provider supporting SMB and mid-market clients with proactive monitoring, cloud hosting, and communications — directly comparable in service mix and customer profile to Black Bear IT.
• Charterhouse Voice & Data: UK provider of VoIP, unified communications, and managed IT services to SMBs — most directly comparable to Black Bear's 3CX-powered VoIP and managed support proposition.
• Six Degrees Group: UK managed cloud, hosting, and unified communications provider serving mid-market customers — overlapping with Black Bear's hosted solutions and VoIP/3CX-powered communications stack.
• ANS Group: UK-based managed cloud and digital transformation provider delivering infrastructure, hosting, and managed services to mid-market and enterprise — comparable hosted/cloud and managed services overlap with Black Bear.
• Littlefish: UK managed services and IT support provider offering 24/7 support, cloud, and security services to SMB and mid-market customers; comparable in service portfolio and target segment to Black Bear IT.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

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 Black Bear I.T Solutions