We’re an IT support and cyber security company based in Derbyshire, supporting small businesses who need reliable technology and fast, friendly support.
We’ve been doing this for over 10 years, working with more than 30 businesses across Central Derbyshire and beyond. Clients stay with us long term because we’re down-to-earth and we prioritise excellent service. When you call, we answer in an average of 7 seconds, explain things in plain English, and care about whether things work properly after we’ve left.
If you’ve ever dealt with an IT provider who made you feel stupid for asking questions, spoke in acronyms you didn’t understand, or disappeared when things went wrong, you’ll understand why we do things differently.
Affirm IT was built on a simple frustration: too many IT companies sell solutions they don’t fully understand, implement systems that don’t quite work, and then blame the client when things go wrong.
That arrogance drives us mad.
Outsourced IT support should still feel like part of your team, not an external supplier you’re slightly afraid to call. When you leave a meeting with us, you’ll feel informed, confident, and supported. Not confused, talked down to, or sold something you didn’t need.
Technology exists to support your business, not create hidden risks or ongoing frustration. Our job is to make sure it does exactly that, and to explain things clearly enough that you can make informed decisions rather than just nodding along and hoping for the best.
We’re here for long-term partnerships, not quick wins. Over 35 businesses trust us to keep their IT running, secure, and future-proof, and most of them have been with us for years.
Phil’s worked in IT for over 20 years, but his route into the industry wasn’t straightforward.
He started in technical support at BT Yahoo, but was made redundant the week before his daughter was born. With a young family to support, he took a role in debt management at RBS, all while teaching himself the skills he needed to get back into IT.
Evenings and weekends were spent studying, building home lab environments, and working through certifications. That persistence paid off. Phil worked his way through various internal IT departments, gaining hands-on experience across infrastructure, networks, and business systems before becoming IT & Project Manager at a local EPOS company.
He later moved into a full-time Project Manager role but ultimately chose to take a pay cut to return to the technical side of IT at a different company before then starting Affirm IT so he could offer exceptional service to local businesses.
Throughout his career, Phil’s self-studied and achieved MCSA, MCP, MCDST, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and Cisco CCNA (which basically means he knows what he’s doing!). His approach has always been built on learning, persistence, and real-world experience rather than shortcuts.
As Founder, Phil’s role spans business development, account management, and strategic leadership. He works closely with growing businesses to strengthen cyber security, improve internal systems, and provide fractional CIO-level guidance, helping business owners make clear, confident technology decisions.
What sets Phil apart is his ability to bridge two worlds: deep technical understanding and clear, human communication. He uses plain language and practical analogies to explain complex cyber security and infrastructure concepts so business owners can make informed decisions. The goal is to help clients truly delegate IT with confidence, not abdicate responsibility out of confusion.
Phil coaches boxing three weeknights and Saturday mornings at Alfreton Amateur Boxing Club. He’s a Level 2 ABA qualified coach and regularly supports fighters in sparring sessions and competitive bouts, working in the corner on fight nights.
Outside of boxing, Phil enjoys learning new skills, listening to audiobooks, and also loves to bing watch a great series (breaking bad, boardwalk empire, the traitors and many others).
Phil also loves a date day or night with his wife, Laura. They’ve been together for 25 years and have a daughter at university. Phil and Laura got married in Las Vegas, choosing to spend their wedding money on a three-week American road trip rather than a traditional ceremony.
Background
Ronan’s been with Affirm IT from day one, starting as an apprentice handling first-line calls. He didn’t come from an IT background but has developed a keen interest over a career spanning 10 years with us.
Outside of work
Ronan’s a keen gamer with a preference for strategy games, RPGs, and rogue-lites. He’s also an occasional book reader and writer and has eclectic music taste with Radiohead and Boards of Canada among his favourites. He’s a bit of a geek when it comes to herpetology and animals in general and currently has three pet tarantulas.
On his bucket list: Australia, because they’ve got some of the most fascinating animals there you don’t find anywhere else in the world.
Background
Carl brings years of experience from across the IT industry: 5 years on the service desk supporting retail customers at Dixons, 2 years managing PC and operating system rollout projects for Boots plc headquarters, and 6 years supporting schools across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire with server, infrastructure, and user support.
Outside of work
Carl once took part in a European banger rally in a car costing less than £300. It did not end well. These days, he usually spends his spare time attempting to figure out which fluid is leaking out of his car this week.
On his bucket list: revisiting most of the countries they broke down in on the banger rally, this time to see the town rather than the underside of the car.
At Affirm IT, we believe in working with specialists.
Just as we encourage our clients to rely on outsourced experts rather than trying to do everything in-house, we do the same in our own business.
We partner with trusted professionals in marketing, finance, and administration to ensure every part of Affirm IT runs at a high standard. This allows our internal team to stay focused on what we do best: delivering secure, reliable IT support and strategic guidance to our clients.
You’re not hiring a faceless company. You’re working with real people who care about getting things right.
When you call Affirm IT, you’ll speak to someone who knows your setup, understands your business, and genuinely wants to help. You won’t get passed around departments or left waiting for callbacks that never come.
Our team’s experience spans decades across retail, schools, corporate IT, project delivery, and small business support. We’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and what causes problems six months down the line. That experience means we build things properly from the start.
Phil’s background means he understands both the deep technical side and the business side. Ronan’s been here since day one and knows our clients inside out. Carl’s banger rally survival skills translate surprisingly well to keeping legacy systems running when they shouldn’t be.
More importantly, we’re the kind of people you’d be happy to have a cup of tea with. No egos, no talking down to you, no making you feel stupid for asking questions.
We’re here to make your IT work for you, explained in a way that makes sense, delivered by people who care about the outcome.
Get in touch with the Affirm IT team to see how we can improve your IT and security systems.
