How to Switch IT Service Providers: A step-by-step plan for regulated firms

Switching Jpg.jpg.jpg

Switching IT service providers may feel daunting, especially if your firm operates in a regulated sector such as financial services, accountancy, estate agency, or law.

Concerns about downtime, compliance risks, or disruption to your team often prevent firms from making the move, even when they know their current supplier isn’t meeting expectations.

The reality? With the right partner, switching IT suppliers is simple, seamless, and secure. At Chapman Technology Partners, we’ve supported many regulated firms through this process, ensuring compliance with FCA, GDPR, and sector-specific obligations.

In this article, we’ll break down exactly how to switch IT service providers and why it’s easier than you think.

 

Why Firms Switch IT Providers

Firms typically look to switch IT suppliers when they face:

  • Poor service response times – waiting hours or even days for issues to be fixed.
  • Compliance concerns – limited understanding of FCA or GDPR requirements.
  • Lack of cybersecurity focus – leaving firms vulnerable to attacks.
  • Limited strategic support – suppliers who only “fix” problems, rather than helping firms grow securely.
     

If any of these sound familiar, the good news is: change is not only possible, it’s straightforward.

 

The Chapman Technology Partners Switching Plan

We’ve developed a proven process to make switching stress-free:

1. Discovery and Audit

We begin with a full IT and cyber security audit of your current systems. This identifies risks, inefficiencies, and compliance gaps. You’ll receive a clear picture of where you stand today.

2. Data and Access Transfer

Working with your outgoing provider, we take care of securely transferring credentials, backups, and data. Our team ensures nothing is missed and every step complies with FCA and GDPR requirements.

3. Seamless Onboarding

Your systems are migrated to our support framework, including monitoring, patch management, and backups. We implement business continuity protections immediately, so there’s no risk of downtime.

4. Cyber Security Hardening

From day one, we put enterprise-grade security in place—firewalls, endpoint protection, MFA, and incident response planning. This ensures your firm is secure and compliant from the start.

5. Staff Training and support

Your team gets access to our helpdesk, with guaranteed response times and UK-based support. We also provide cybersecurity awareness training, tailored to your sector.

6. Technology Business Reviews

Unlike many IT suppliers, we carry out regular technology business reviews for all our customers, helping to plan IT strategy, budget effectively, and leverage AI securely for business growth.

 

Why Switching Is Easier Than You Think

Firms often worry about downtime, but with the right process:

  • Email, files, and applications are migrated outside of working hours.
  • Staff log in on Monday morning exactly as normal.
  • Support is available instantly if anyone needs help.
     

Greg Chapman, managing director, said: “Switching IT providers isn’t disruptive when it’s managed correctly. For regulated firms, the real risk isn’t in changing supplier, it’s in staying with one that isn’t fit for purpose.” 

Take the First Step

If your current IT provider is holding your firm back, it’s time to explore a change. Switching IT suppliers can strengthen your security, improve compliance, and free your team from IT headaches.

Book a free consultation to review your current setup and see how Chapman Technology Partners can help you.

Chapman Technology Partners

Enjoyed this? Read more from Chapman Technology Partners

Latest news

1

BAE Systems workers vote for strike action BAE Systems production

BAE Systems workers vote for strike action

23 Oct 2025

2

National Cyber Force launches startup programme in the North West Nick Miles, National Cyber Force deputy director for Samlesbury

National Cyber Force launches startup programme in the North West

23 Oct 2025

3

Foresight announces £90m first close of its third North West regional investment fund Foresight announces £90 million first close of its third dedicated North West regional investment fund

Foresight announces £90m first close of its third North West regional investment fund

23 Oct 2025

4

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win Warehouse Supervisor at Pets Choice Brad Eddleston and McMurrays Sales Manager Rob Spencer. Photo credit: McMurrays Haulage Limited

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win

21 Oct 2025

5

Dragons' Den star to shine on Lancashire Business Day Derry Green

Dragons' Den star to shine on Lancashire Business Day

21 Oct 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
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

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

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

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

Chamber Business Lunch – October
LBV Hub Networking
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – October

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

11:00 - 13:30

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

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 LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin