I have been fortunate to spend most of my career working in, developing, and leading Managed Service Providers. This experience has given me a strong foundation in IT service delivery across many different types of businesses. Having spent 25 years in the Managed Service Provider space and more recently transitioning to an independent consultant, I have been reflecting on what I have learned over the last six months.
Working in an MSP has given me a broad range of skills from technical expertise and service delivery discipline to commercial awareness and client relationship management. These skills have proved to be highly transferable into my consulting work, although they need to be applied a little differently. In an MSP, the focus is on ongoing operational delivery, keeping services running smoothly and efficiently. In consulting, the emphasis shifts to diagnosing problems, designing strategic solutions, and guiding delivery without always having direct control over the day-to-day work. The adaptability, problem-solving, and ability to communicate with both technical and non-technical people that I developed in the MSP world have been invaluable in making that transition.
One of the biggest changes I have noticed is the opportunity to be truly independent. In an MSP, recommendations can sometimes be shaped by commercial considerations, available resources, or existing vendor relationships. As an independent consultant, I have the freedom to focus solely on what is best for the client. This independence allows me to give advice without any hidden agenda, which builds trust and creates space for honest conversations about what will genuinely serve the business in the long term. It has been refreshing to make decisions based entirely on the client’s needs and objectives.
I have also found great satisfaction in helping non-IT businesses engage more productively with their IT teams or suppliers. Many organisations struggle to turn their business goals into clear technology requirements. Drawing on my MSP background, I can help translate between the business and the technical side, set realistic expectations, and ensure that IT investments align directly with what the business is trying to achieve. It is about making sure both sides understand each other so that projects deliver real value rather than just ticking a technical box.
Perhaps most rewarding of all is helping firms maximise their IT. Often this means identifying underused features, streamlining processes, or introducing cost-effective solutions so they can get more from what they already have. When I see that my input has helped a business save money, improve operations, or make life easier for its staff, it is a reminder of why I made this move. These moments show that with the right advice and guidance, technology can do more than just support a business, it can help it thrive. Looking back, these past six months have been an exciting period of learning and growth. Stepping into the consultant role has reaffirmed that the most valuable part of my career has always been helping people and businesses succeed through the right use of technology. If the next six months bring as much challenge, variety, and reward as the last, I will consider myself very fortunate indeed.