About

About us

Helping Businesses Stay Secure, Connected and Ready to Grow

Experience, flexibility and a personal approach — trusted by businesses for over 30 years.

Since 1991, we’ve been working with small and medium-sized businesses across the UK, providing reliable services across IT, connectivity, cloud, security and communications. Our clients include accountants, solicitors, manufacturers, training providers and other professionals who value straightforward advice and long-term support. Every business is different, and we take the time to understand how things work before recommending the right approach.

The journey starts with a conversation — whether it’s a quick phone call or a meeting to explore what you really need. Reach out to our team to get started.

A quick look at what we’ve achieved to date

The BIG Numbers That Tell Our Story.

357

Businesses We've Supported

34

Years of Trusted Experience

147,763

Helpdesk Enquiries Resolved

It’s not just about fixing problems. It’s about building long-term relationships, earning trust, and helping your business move forward.

Expertise You Can Count On

We’ve built a team that knows how to get things done — experienced, approachable, and focused on doing what’s best for your business. No passing the buck, no confusing jargon — just straightforward support from people who know your systems and care about keeping everything running smoothly.

Solutions That Evolve With You

We don’t believe in rigid packages or outdated setups. Whether you’re expanding, adapting or just need to modernise, we’ll help you find the right tools — and make sure they keep working for you as your business grows.

We've been solving problems, supporting people and shaping smarter businesses for over 30 years — and we’re just getting started!

Our Accreditations

Accreditations matter in the IT world — they show we’ve got the knowledge, experience and partnerships to deliver the right solutions. Click below to view our current accreditations.

Meet The Team

Meet the team behind the success of CNS — the people who keep everything running smoothly and support our clients day to day.

CNS (1)

Brian Ward

Technical Manager
See Brian's Bio

Brian joined CNS in January 2004 having previously run his own IT support business and has a love/hate relationship with computers.

Since joining CNS, Brian has become an expert on Microsoft’s Small Business Server product line, gaining vast experience through many installations, upgrades, and migrations. Brian has also successfully achieved the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist accreditation for Small Business Server 2008, among other industry certifications. Brian is also a 3CX and Altaro Certified Engineer.

Outside work, Brian is a dedicated family man, who enjoys DIY and gardening.

CNS (2)

Stuart Garside

Senior IT Support Technician
See Stuart's Bio

Stuart has been part of the CNS team for over 12 years and brings a steady, no-nonsense approach to everything he does. He’s an experienced all-rounder who values clear communication, straightforward solutions, and listening properly to what the client needs — not just jumping straight into the technical side.

Clients appreciate Stuart’s calm presence and honest style. He’s not one to sugarcoat things, but he’s always approachable, patient, and ready to help wherever he can. He’s also a big believer in sharing knowledge and working closely with the wider team to keep things running smoothly.

When he’s not working, Stuart’s usually planning his next trip somewhere new — preferably with fewer spreadsheets and no IT problems in sight.

CNS (3)

Andrew Church

Support Technician
See Andrew's Bio

Andrew has been part of CNS for over six years — although technically, this is his second time with the business. Calm, thorough and quietly brilliant, he’s known for his ability to troubleshoot everything from simple login issues to more complex system problems. Clients often comment on how clear and reassuring he is, even comparing his voice to that of an airline pilot.

 

He’s particularly good at translating tech into everyday language and tailoring his approach depending on who he’s speaking to. Outside of work, Andrew is a self-confessed gaming nerd with a soft spot for the card collectible game called Magic: The Gathering. He’s also been building computers since he was eight — starting with one he unknowingly helped build with his Dad as a birthday present.

CNS

Alex Barrett

Managing Director
See Alex's Bio

Alex founded CNS in 1991 with a clear vision: to provide honest, reliable IT support that puts people first. Over three decades later, he still leads the business with the same values — trust, fairness, and a strong belief in doing the right thing for both clients and the team.

He’s not one for overcomplicating things. Alex focuses on building long-term relationships, supporting his team, and making practical decisions that keep everything running smoothly. His approach is open, down-to-earth and quietly effective.

Outside of CNS, Alex is a qualified scuba diving instructor and spent many years involved in dog training — a testament to his calm, measured style and ability to guide others with confidence and patience.

Why Choose Us?

30+ Years of Trusted Experience
We’ve been supporting UK businesses since 1991, building long-term relationships based on trust, reliability, and real technical know-how.

Straightforward, Personal Support
We keep things simple, clear, and human — with no jargon, just expert help from people who genuinely want to help.

Solutions to Suit Your Business
Everything we offer is tailored to your business needs — no one-size-fits-all packages, just the right tools and solutions for your business.

Support That Feels In-House, Not Outsourced

We get to know your business and your team, offering friendly, familiar support that feels like we’re part of your company.

Smart Monitoring When You Need It Most
Smart systems run quietly in the background, ready to alert us — and take action — when it really matters.

 

What Our Clients Say...

We love what we do here at CNS but we love it even more when we receive glowing testimonials from our clients. Since 1991, we have worked with hundreds of amazing business helping to support them with a wide range of products and services. Here is a sample of the reviews we have received on Google.

We have used CNS for a number of years and the service we have received has been excellent. They have handled our IT and telephony requirements and support has always been extremely prompt and queries resolved swiftly. Highly recommended.”

Richard Suswain

Bambridge Lee have been using CNS for all our IT support for in excess of 6 years now and couldn't recommend them highly enough. The team are very knowledgeable and their helpdesk response times are excellent. The service they provide means there is one less thing to worry about in house, which has allowed us to scale up without any IT concerns.”

Ross Fairley

“As a small business, we have been using CNS for our IT support for over 20 years. They have always been quick to respond and have helped keep us up to date in the fast moving world of IT.”

Lawrence Golding