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

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 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
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

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 LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin