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

Beever and Struthers advise on £1.5bn funding for 2,000 new social homes a year John Jones

Beever and Struthers advise on £1.5bn funding for 2,000 new social homes a year

03 Jul 2025

2

Airframe Designs aligns with US programme for additive manufacturing growth Additive manufacturing technology unit At Airframe Designs

Airframe Designs aligns with US programme for additive manufacturing growth

03 Jul 2025

3

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud James Cole

Panache Cruises on course for further growth with support from Rosebud

03 Jul 2025

4

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector Mo Isap Chair Of The Lancashire Business Board Nick Miles National Cyber Force Deputy Director For Samlesbury Annette Weekes Representative Of The NWRDSC

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector

03 Jul 2025

5

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire BAE Systems Radar

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire

02 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
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

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

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

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

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin