Cetus Solutions is a 2002 start–up focused on ‘Next Generation Computing’ to deliver business IT network and communication solutions that are scaleable, secure, resilient and efficient.  The founder Mike English had a wealth of commercial and technical expertise within the digital industry to focus the new company on delivering innovative approaches to solving business IT challenges. As a result, Cetus Solutions became a new breed of computer solutions provider with the core ethos of making a difference to their customers’ business performance.

The early networking and mobile computing concentrated on Citrix products.  Cetus’s technical knowledge and customer service expertise delivered a number of awards including Best Citrix Development Partner and Citrix Gold Partner.  Their performance now has them en-route to becoming a Platinum partner in 2008.   As the company has grown successfully they have added more products to deliver remote computing, databases and network security.  Other partner/products can be seen on their website www.cetus-solutions.com

Ian Eddison’s interaction with Cetus demonstrates the benefits of running a long term intensive  support programme. Ian’s initial role provided mentoring and coaching on the sales & marketing of the business throughout the start-up phase. Mike English responded very positively and concentrated on the business development issues, achieving 300% sales growth in the first 18 months and transforming Cetus into a profitable company able to invest in its products and staff.  Our support continued with the growth issues around organisation process, recruitment, training and new target markets.  Once again the Cetus team performed superbly recruiting more staff, winning technology awards, expanding their office and improving the digital solutions for their increasing number of business customers.

Cetus are now a £multi-million annual sales company, with a wide range of customers and higher value projects using leading edge digital network design and technology.  The company directors are targeting tripling of sales over the next few years. This transformation from a small to a medium size company requires a different organisation strategy, with more management delegation and the move of the directors to longer term leadership roles.  Again IECON is supporting the management team in their new Salford Merchant Quay offices, helping Mike English plan the next step level change in the success of Cetus.

The Managing Director Mike English has commented:  “In our last 4 financial years we experienced significant growth in every year. This was facilitated by focusing on the strategic development of the business with the support and encouragement provided by Ian Eddison an industry leading business mentor under the North West Development Agency’s Cluster Development Programme.”

Ian Eddison (left) and Mike English