Bowker IT geared for growth

By Lancashire Business View

30 Jan 2019

stuart-errington-bowker-it-1000x500.jpg
Morecambe-based Bowker IT has been growing steadily in the 15 years since it began trading, and 2019 could be a best-ever year after investing in developing its online presence and hiring its first ever sales and marketing manager.

Stuart Errington is one of the founders of the company in 2005 securing his first customers from his network of contacts. Bowker IT has since grown through reputation and word-of-mouth, and further expansion is on the cards. “It’s about time we let people know what we do,” said Stuart of the company’s plans for the year ahead.

Bowker IT is the younger sibling of Chris Bowker Ltd, the Hot 100-ranking business which provides mechanical and electrical services, including fire and security installation, optical fibre installation and control panel wiring, as well as testing and maintenance.

Chris Bowker Limited is run by, amongst others, brothers Richard and Simon Bowker. They knew Stuart, and had been trying to convince him that their business would benefit from an IT division and that he was the ideal candidate to run it.

Stuart previously maintained networks at Cannon Hygiene and BusinessServe. Later, he provided consultancy for a local accountancy which showed him how he could use his big-company expertise to help SMEs.

“Then, one day, it felt like the right time,” said Stuart. “I called Richard and said, ‘I’ll start Monday.’”

Bowker IT launched in February 2005 with little more than Stuart’s expertise, his contacts book, and a handful of loyal clients that would go with him. The business developed over the years, soon taking on staff and expanding its support and maintenance services designed for businesses and schools, handling computers, networking, CCTV, internet telephony and more.

Adding cabling to the company’s expertise helped Bowker IT take a major step forward. This had previously been undertaken by subcontractors, but with the help of Chris Bowker Limited, the company was able to bring the specialism in-house, saving money and allowing for more competitive pricing.

Since then, the companies have won significant contracts, including work on Space Studios Manchester, where TV shows such as Cold Feet and Dragons Den are filmed.

“That was a very prestigious contract for us,” says Stuart. “The technical aspect of a modern TV studio is quite complex and there was a lot of copper and fibre cabling required. We handled that, as well as project managing the CCTV installation.”

To begin 2019, Bowker IT will begin work with on the new Warrington Time Square development, installing cabling for a major new project including council offices, a market, a leisure suite including cinema, and public spaces.

But despite these major contracts, Stuart says Bowker IT still exists to serve SMEs in Lancashire.

“We want to help the businesses around us,” says Stuart. “We’re very good at the technical stuff, but we don’t talk jargon. We’ve got the ethos of a family firm and smaller businesses find us approachable.

“Our customers get peace of mind. We’ll help you get the most out of your existing set-up, or if you’re looking to upgrade we can help advise the best and most cost-effective way of doing it.”

Of Bowker IT’s goals for the year ahead, Stuart says: “Our goal is to be the go-to IT service provider in the north west, and we’re working towards that be offering simple, honest solutions. We’re ahead of the curve in terms of innovations, but we won’t bamboozle you, just amaze you with our service!”

Kim Brown joins Bowker IT

Bowker IT has appointed experienced sales manager Kim Brown.

Kim will bring more than two decades of experience working in sales to the role, and a passion for serving clients and the community.

Kim says the family-firm ethos played an important part of her decision to join the company.

“I like to be where everyone works to a ‘common cause’,” said Kim. “For Bowker IT, that’s about supporting local businesses and schools to perform seamlessly as much as possible.

“I love the fact that the team here have such good relationships with our clients, that our reputation is so important and that the whole team are passionate about the Bowker name.”

Latest news

1

Barnfield Construction transitions to an Employee-Owned Business Staff Cheer Photo.jpg.jpg

Barnfield Construction transitions to an Employee-Owned Business

24 Jan 2025

2

Wallsauce looks to grow B2B customer base with increased trade focus Martin Emmott Rosebud and Andy Gerraty Wallsauce

Wallsauce looks to grow B2B customer base with increased trade focus

24 Jan 2025

3

CBP goes into administration Community and Business Partners in Blackburn with doors shut

CBP goes into administration

23 Jan 2025

4

Plan moves forward for new £13.2m Innovation Hub Councillor Phillippa Williamson and Coun Aidy Riggott

Plan moves forward for new £13.2m Innovation Hub

22 Jan 2025

5

Record turnover as Napthens continues to grow Stephen Faulkner

Record turnover as Napthens continues to grow

22 Jan 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:30 - 16:00

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

North West Holiday Home Show
PLG - NWHHS - Social - Jan 2024.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
18 Jan 2025 - 26 Jan 2025

North West Holiday Home Show

South Lakeland House Showground, Yealand Redmayne, LA5 9RN

09:00 - 14:58

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire
LBV Hub Event Image.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
30 Jan 2025 - 30 Jan 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR7 1PS

18:00 - 20:00

Police Apprenticeship event
Student Centre Autumn 2022.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Social
12 Feb 2025 - 12 Jan 2025

Police Apprenticeship event

University of Central Lancashire, Foster Social Space , Preston , PR1 2HE

16:00 - 19:00

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet
PRESTON TECH CONNECTION jan.ai.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
12 Feb 2025 - 12 Feb 2025

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Feb 2025 - 13 Feb 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans
Sub36 Social1200Atkinsons New
Networking
14 Feb 2025

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans

Atkinsons Speciality Coffee, Lancaster, LA1 1 EX

09:00 - 11:30

Red Rose Awards 2025
Red Rose Awards 2025
Awards
13 Mar 2025

Red Rose Awards 2025

Winter Gardens Blackpool

18:00 - 11:59

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV120 Online Graphic 1
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin