Mentoring boosts managed IT and cloud computing business sky high

By Boost Business Lancashire

14 Nov 2019

j700-group-linkedin-1.jpg

A Rossendale-based managed IT support business has quadrupled its turnover and added four new staff since receiving strategic mentoring through Boost, Lancashire’s business growth hub.

J700 Group has seen turnover quickly rise to a significant six figure sum and the business aims to hit £1m within the next 18 months.

Jonathan Cundliffe worked in senior IT positions for more than 25 years before establishing J700 Group in 2015. His wife Deon joined in 2018 to support him as commercial director. The company provides IT, cloud, website design, SEO and communications solutions to businesses across the North West.

After Jonathan approached Boost last year for help to grow the business, him and Deon joined Boost’s Growth Mentoring programme delivered by Orvia. Paul Bury was appointed as their mentor to help focus the company’s sales and marketing strategies.

Jonathan said: “The support received from Paul was absolutely brilliant. He went above and beyond at each meeting and I can say with confidence that we would not be doing as well without his help.”

Paul’s main objective was to get J700 Group to refocus on core propositions, define the business aims and achieve more clarity about their approach to service. The mentoring encouraged Jonathan and Deon to adopt a clear unique selling proposition (USP) to set themselves apart from competitors.

Since receiving Boost support, new business includes website projects, several significant software projects, IT support and consultancy services.

At the start of the Boost mentoring, the company employed two people. It now has six people contributing to the business, with plans to grow to a team of 10 over the next three years. J700 Group has also relocated to larger premises to support the rapid growth. The new space is nearly ten times bigger and includes conference and training facilities.

Jonathan said: “I must admit, I was quite sceptical at the beginning. I was worried I’d be letting a stranger into the business and giving up valuable time in my already busy day thinking that the mentoring wouldn’t add any value to the business.

“My opinion changed the instant I met Paul. Not only does he have a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience in business, he is also a really nice guy.”

Jonathan is now seeking a sales and business development manager and plans grow the IT support team, including offering an IT apprenticeship.

Paul Bury said: “J700 Group has excellent growth potential and what was really pleasing to see was the ideas and insight developed through the mentoring being put into practice. Through positive action, we saw really positive results. Well done to both Jonathan and Deon. J700 has a very exciting future.”

Since receiving the mentoring support through Boost, Jonathan has decided to ‘give something back’ and has joined the mentoring programme to share his specialist skills and help other Lancashire businesses to grow.

Boost is Lancashire's Business Growth Hub and is led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council and supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Boost has received £3.8m of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union, ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.  For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding. 

Latest news

1

MHA lists on AIM for £271m Rakesh Shaunak MHA Retouch

MHA lists on AIM for £271m

15 Apr 2025

2

164-home golf course development drives ahead Ingol plans by Northern Trust

164-home golf course development drives ahead

14 Apr 2025

3

Green light for £24m village development Applethwaite Grimsargh site

Green light for £24m village development

14 Apr 2025

4

Homebuilder unveils Clayton-le-Woods development Wain Homes site

Homebuilder unveils Clayton-le-Woods development

14 Apr 2025

5

Blackpool Grand’s restoration project is a triumph Blackpool Grand exterior

Blackpool Grand’s restoration project is a triumph

14 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
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
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

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

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

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

09:00 - 15:30

Pure Leisure Group to Host Job Fair as Part of Recruitment Drive
sllv ext 66.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
23 Apr 2025 - 23 Apr 2025

Pure Leisure Group to Host Job Fair as Part of Recruitment Drive

South Lakeland Leisure Village, Carnforth, LA5 9RN

09:00 - 17:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: April
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
25 Apr 2025 - 25 Apr 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: April

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

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 Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin