Client Stories

The platform was used by SimplifyDigital’s own branded business and by a number of blue-chip retail clients (including Barclays, Dixons Carphone, Sainsbury, Game Retail, Asda, Comparethemarket.com, and uSwitch) who wanted to offer broadband switching to their customers.

As SimplifyDigital grew, there was an increasing need for director-level input to ensure the roadmaps and management of a range of issues like cyber-security, data protection, payment card handling, and technical hosting were appropriate, compliant and properly managed. SimplyDigital retained Freeman Clarke in 2015 to provide an IT Director to cover a number of issues including these areas.

Freeman Clark’s Principal, Paul Larner, joined SimplifyDigital just three weeks before they were scheduled to move to new offices so his immediate focus was ensuring the office move went smoothly, there was no interruption to the business, and costs were properly managed.

Paul then went on to recommend to the Board a number of changes including both technology and resourcing. These plans were accepted and Paul then led the implementation over a period of nine months. In parallel, Paul undertook a detailed review of the in-house IT team and external partners, whilst also getting involved in a number of tactical projects to improve sales conversion and customer service.

Dixon’s Carphone successfully acquired SimplifyDigital in March 2016. Paul had a major role in preparing SimplyDigital for the sales due diligence process, and planning the expansion of the call centre to cater for increased demand as a result of the takeover.

Abbas Jeraj, SimplifyDigital’s Head of People said:

‘Our Freeman Clarke IT Director, Paul, became a key player in our IT leadership team taking responsibility for IT operations and IT security. Paul’s experience was evident from day one and he quickly got to grips with the urgent issues whilst developing a longer term plan and carefully restructuring the team. This allowed us to focus on the smooth acquisition of our company by the Dixons Carphone Group. Freeman Clarke were crucial to the successful transformation of our IT.’

Simplify Digital - Client story

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