Partner Portal

Cornerstone’s partnership with ITS

A chance meeting at a football match resulted in a pitch to become connectivity partners that has led to supporting each other’s business goals…

Cornerstone Business Solutions is a multi-award winning IT services business based in the North East of England that prides itself on having brought back true customer service values to the industry and has the trophies to prove it. It is this core motivation that influences the partnerships it will forge, as anything less than amazing customer experience and high-quality service delivery results in a red card.

No red tape, just easy to deal with

Cornerstone established itself amidst the financial crisis in 2008. Despite this, it quickly developed a reputation as the go-to IT support and services business in the area. Serving a variety of industry sectors from lawyers to the local football club, connectivity underpins the solutions it offers and so working with the right partners is vital.

“When I order connectivity for my customers, I need it to be easy. I don’t have time to jump through hoops and red tape, let alone chase for updates and push for responses. I need to focus on talking to customers and meeting with new prospects.

“This is where ITS is different to other providers. Its order process is straightforward and the whole business takes a very personal, hands on approach. I know exactly who to get in touch with, and I have built relationships across the business. I am reassured by my experience that the team are committed to fighting our corner to make sure that I can deliver as promised to my customers.

“It is often when things don’t go to plan that are the real test of a relationship. How things are dealt with and resolved. On the few occasions we’ve had challenges, the team has always stepped up to the plate. Having a connectivity partner I can rely on means I can crack on with what I am paid to do and maintain our mission to provide services second to none!”

Chris Bibby, Sales Director at Cornerstone Business Solutions

True partnership working together to connect businesses

Cornerstone had often struggled with network coverage for its customers in the North East. This changed when it partnered with ITS.

“A lot of the areas we serve are overlooked and underserved. We have found ITS’ on net and off net approach has resulted in customers being connected to high-quality connectivity in a fraction of the time other providers quoted. ITS is very inclusive and has worked with us, even to the point of engaging with us to work out where we see demand for full fibre so we can work together to deliver where it’s needed. It’s pretty much unheard of in this industry.

“There are many benefits to joining ITS’ Partner Programme. It has given us access to marketing support and support and offers that are meaningful and helps us to sell more.”

Chris Bibby, Sales Director at Cornerstone Business Solutions
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Dave Ferry
Chief Sales Officer

As Chief Sales Officer, Dave leads the sales strategy at ITS, driving growth and strengthening customer relationships. Overseeing commercial success across Partner Markets, Public Sector and Major Business, Dave uses his 20 years of telecoms experience to build high-performing teams and deliver innovative solutions that meet market demands.

Previously, Dave held senior roles at Virgin Media Business, leading successful teams in various market segments.

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Kevin McNulty
Strategy Director

Kevin leads the Strategy team in ITS, comprising the core functions of network Investment (including M&A), regulation, public affairs, product management and marketing. With over 4 years’ experience within the leadership team of ITS, Kevin has played a pivotal role in shaping the business direction as it has grown to be a leading provider of B2B wholesale connectivity.

Prior to ITS, Kevin has a long background in the industry, having held senior positions in BT, Virgin Media, KCOM and NTT – as well as a period spent in consultancy.

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Claire Davies
People & Culture Director

Claire is the People and Culture Director for ITS, responsible for ensuring we provide a great place to work, with amazing people who are happy, productive, and engaged.

A CIPD qualified HR professional with previous industry experience at Amey, as well as more recent experience in a number of small businesses, Claire is passionate about putting people first in order to grow the business.

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Mike Goodwin
Chief Technology Officer

Mike is responsible for all technical, operations, customer service and security within ITS. Using his degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and MBA from Manchester Business School, Mike focuses on how ITS can introduce and support complex solutions designed to create customer-focused teams that ensure exceptional experience. On top of his extensive career history spanning TalkTalk, Hyperoptic and Fibre Nation, Mike is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the IET.

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Charlie Versi
Chief Operating Officer

Charlie leads ITS’s end-to-end operational delivery, with a focus on service excellence and delivering an outstanding experience for both partners and their business customers. His appointment will help build on the company’s strong foundations – driving transformation, quality, and innovation and using them as key enablers of continued growth.

Daren Baythorpe
Chief Executive Officer

Daren is a dynamic leader who drives the strategy, growth and direction of ITS. Daren has significant utility / telecoms sector experience and has held several board-level leadership and advisory positions for a number of organisations including Severn Trent Water and BT. He served on the Board of Openreach, where he held executive responsibilities as Director of the Customer Service Division, Director for Field Engineering then latterly serving as Managing Director of the Business Division.

Daren also regularly advises and collaborates with government and other regulatory / telecoms bodies on sector-related issues. His in-depth knowledge and understanding of the requirements of operators and high capacity data users, through his vast experience across the industry, mean that ITS is thriving under his leadership

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Chairman

Kevin leads our board and is responsible for giving strategic advice and counsel, as well as attracting and driving investment. Kevin is recognised as one of the most successful leaders of his generation, having led iconic brands such as Porsche, Lamborghini and BMW. A highly experienced serial entrepreneur and private equity chairman, he has led multi-billion-pound global organisations; and also founded startups such as Epyx Limited, building it up to become the market leader for automotive e-commerce solutions.

Kevin has received multiple accolades; highlights include making the ‘UK’s top 40 leaders under 40’ list, chairing the ‘best UK private equity investment of the year’, and being a founder of award-winning start-up companies across the globe.

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