Utilize

Who are Utilize?
At Utilize Plc, we offer a comprehensive range of IT services designed to help businesses achieve digital transformation and operational efficiency. Our services include managed IT support, managed security, cloud services, and communications solutions.  Ascend is the UK’s first all-inclusive IT service agreement. Ascend provides not only access to those services, but also the professional services and labour for consultancy and projects, all on a cost-per-user-per-month subscription. This enables our clients to plan and budget without unexpected costs.

Utilize are also proud to have worked with Sage financial solutions for 20 years, providing and supporting accounting and finance software from one of the world’s leading names.

Utilize Plc is an award-winning technology company with over 25 years of industry expertise, supporting hundreds of SME businesses across London and the South-East.

What have you been up to in 2024?
In 2024, Utilize has continued to drive innovation within the tech sector. We have successfully completed several significant projects, enhancing our clients’ digital transformation journeys. Our focus on sustainability has been at the heart of our operations, and we have made significant strides in our commitments to a sustainable future. As part of our social and environmental commitments, we have a B Corp certification application in progress and launched our 2^nd Sustainability report.

We are also proud of our community engagement efforts, having raised £40,101 for charities and completed 135 Community (volunteering) days across our company. At Utilize, we recognise that supporting diversity and engagement is not only the right thing to do for our business, but it is also important for our people. This commitment is woven into our core values and stems from the belief that our company thrives when we embrace the full range of human experiences, regardless of appearance or background. As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, we have conducted a Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) survey and have included some feedback about this in our Sustainability Report for 2024.

Moreover, we achieved a 1-star rating from Best Companies as a great place to work, which is a significant achievement for our first-time participation, and in fact narrowly missed the 2-Star Threshold, as well as being voted 44th regionally in the East of England, 24th Best company to work for in Technology in the UK, and 72nd of the best Mid-sized companies in the whole of the UK.

Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our customer satisfaction (CSAT) scores and service efficiency:

– CSAT: 4.9/5

– Number of CSAT Surveys completed: 3,909

Ticket numbers resolved by our service teams:

– Service Desk (excluding pro-active monitoring tickets): 73,293

– Apps Desk: 11,068

– MS Helpdesk: 4,089

– Network Planned Maintenance: 8,522

What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, Utilize plans to further expand our service offerings and continue to innovate within the tech sector. We aim to enhance our digital transformation services, helping more organisations become digital-first. We also plan to strengthen our sustainability initiatives, ensuring that we lead by example in creating a sustainable tomorrow. Our goal is to continue providing exceptional technology solutions that drive growth and success for our clients. Please refer to our Sustainability Report for 2024 outlining our goals for sustainable change in 2025.

Do you think Essex is a place for business? If yes, why?
Absolutely, Essex is a fantastic place for business. The region offers a vibrant business community, excellent infrastructure, and a skilled workforce. Essex’s strategic location, close to London and major transport links, makes it an ideal hub for businesses looking to expand both locally and globally. The support from local councils and initiatives like the AET50 further enhance the business environment, fostering innovation and growth. Utilize work close with Basildon Council on a number of initiatives that support – careers in technology, sport in the community and helping those less fortunate.

How are you providing jobs for Essex residents and running great skills programs?
Utilize is committed to supporting the next generation through our Apprenticeship Programme. Apprentices gain experience in a wide range of IT systems and earn various qualifications, such as basic server certifications and Microsoft certifications. We have had an apprentice program for 9 years. We started out with 1 apprentice but have now grown the team to 10. The success rate of apprentices passing their program is over 95%. For example, our 1st line team is built up of 5 apprentices, with 2 more due to join the team in March. We have had apprentices go to the Senior Projects team within 5 years of starting as an Apprentice at Utilize. We have had apprentices pass their program with Distinction multiple times. We have 18 ex-apprentices still currently employed at Utilize. This program not only helps apprentices build their careers but also strengthens our team with skilled professionals.

We recruit locally by sending any open vacancies to the following:

– Essex Cares for entry-level roles

– The Advice Store

– Indeed

– Basildon local job centre

– Referrals: local people recommending local people

Currently, 28 employees live in the Basildon Borough itself, while many more are in surrounding boroughs.

Finally, we work closely with local colleges (SEE College for example) on helping develop their curriculum (sometimes delivering training) and giving students valuable workplace experience and opportunities (outside of our apprenticeships).

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