Author Archives: Megan Carnes

Blantyre Capital, founded in 2016, focuses on middle market special situations, providing timely solutions for complex capital needs. Operating in over 20 countries and across 19 industries, Blantyre’s dedicated team is based in the UK, with additional offices in Abu Dhabi, Madrid, and the US. The partnership with Thrive is instrumental in leveraging NextGen technology, necessary for maintaining their competitive edge and operational efficiency. By integrating advanced IT solutions, Blantyre benefits from robust infrastructure and seamless global operations, highlighting the value of their collaboration with Thrive.

Evolving with Thrive: Seamless Integration and Growth

Blantyre Capital and Thrive began working together through an acquisition. “It felt completely seamless, if I’m honest,” shared Rebecca Kite, Office Manager at Blantyre, when reflecting on the transition. When asked about the strengths of their partnership, she also highlighted the smooth integration, a commitment to quality service, and her ongoing trust in Thrive’s abilities. As Blantyre expanded, Thrive’s suite of comprehensive services, including cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and end user support, coupled with a dedicated team for advisory and general assistance, proved invaluable.

Thrive’s Global Impact on Blantyre Capital

Thrive’s global presence aligns with Blantyre’s operations, ensuring localized support and enabling efficient operations across time zones and regulatory environments. “With our COO based in Florida, access to Thrive’s worldwide support is essential for maintaining seamless operations,” noted Rebecca, emphasising the strategic advantage of Thrive’s geographical alignment.

Thrive’s expertise in facilitating office moves and telephony transitions ensures operational continuity. “Our recent office move was very well managed,” remarked Rebecca, underscoring Thrive’s efficiency. Their proactive IT approach and advisory services allow Blantyre to focus on core business activities. “I can rely on Thrive to interact with my other external parties, which is an invaluable resource,”said Rebecca.

Building Trust and Relationships

The partnership between Blantyre Capital and Thrive succeeds due to trust and mutual respect, strengthened by regular communication and dedicated account management. “Ultimately, success comes down to effective relationship building,” remarked Rebecca. Thrive’s understanding of Blantyre’s unique needs and tailored solutions solidify their role as a trusted IT partner.

Looking forward, as Blantyre continues to expand its international footprint, the continued integration of next-generation technology will be pivotal. Thrive’s innovative approach and cutting-edge solutions will support Blantyre in navigating new markets and adapting to evolving industry demands. This forward-thinking partnership positions Blantyre to capitalise on emerging opportunities, ensuring sustained growth and success in a rapidly changing global landscape.

“I can tell the help desk, engineers, network team, and the account managers have great relationships with each other. It seems to strengthen the support we receive from Thrive.” – Rebecca Kite, Office Manager at Blantyre Capital

About Thrive

Thrive is a NextGen global technology outsourcing provider that empowers small and mid-market organizations to transform their technology into a strategic advantage. Offering a breadth of services from AI and cybersecurity to cloud, compliance, and traditional MSP/MSSP solutions, Thrive’s team of seasoned experts develop strategies that standardize, scale, and automate technology to achieve outsized ROI. From advisory services to a 24×7×365 SOC and NOC, Thrive provides end-to-end IT and cybersecurity management so clients can focus on innovation and growth. With Thrive, your business is always supported and always secure. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

CrossCountry Consulting is a leading provider of specialized finance, operations, and technology advisory services. The firm is a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies, emerging growth market leaders, and private equity sponsors. They create present and future value through accounting and risk, technology-enabled transformation, and transaction solutions.

Since its founding in 2011, the firm has prioritized a culture-first approach. In keeping with that philosophy, CrossCountry Consulting was looking for more than just a vendor to manage its IT needs, they needed a strategic partner. That’s where Thrive came in.

A Small Team Supporting Big Growth

When Adam Fowler joined CrossCountry Consulting in late 2021, he stepped into a rapidly scaling organization. “We were about 600-700 people when I started. Today we’re over 1,200. Just a year before I joined, the team was at 300,” he shared.

The challenge was clear: support a global, technology-reliant workforce with a lean internal IT team — just him and one colleague. Building out a full internal team wasn’t in the budget, and previous experience with Managed Service Providers (MSPs) at other firms had left them skeptical.

“In previous roles, I had bigger IT teams, and the MSPs left a lot to be desired. But I knew I either had to rely on our MSP and make it work, or try to build something that didn’t have leadership buy-in. So, I figured out how to make it work.”

A Partnership, Not Just a Contract

As it turns out, “making it work” became a model of strategic alignment and collaboration. Over time, Fowler came to see Thrive not just as a resource, but as an extension of his internal team.

“The way I describe Thrive is, it’s like a good relationship. You need to be able to have disagreements and work through them together. That’s what we have. It’s not one side dictating to the other. It’s truly a partnership.”

That sense of mutual investment was tested and proven when CrossCountry Consulting’s CFO initiated an RFP process, bringing in three competing providers. Fowler recalled, “I wanted Thrive to win, but it had to be based on merit. Thrive blew the doors off the competition. Pricing was fair, their responses were thorough, and it was clear they understood us. The others didn’t even come close.”

Real Solutions, Global Impact

As CrossCountry Consulting expanded, their needs became more complex and Thrive evolved alongside them.

From the outset, Thrive helped manage the day-to-day, help desk support, systems administration, and security oversight. As the firm expanded to cities across the U.S. and globally into Dublin, Singapore, and the UK, infrastructure and logistics challenges grew more pressing.

The answer? A workstation deployment center (WDC) designed specifically to streamline global device shipping and management. “We ordered 400 laptops ahead of the Windows 10 retirement deadline, and they’re all sitting there ready to deploy anywhere. We didn’t even initiate that conversation, it was Thrive’s idea.”

Whether it’s supporting Microsoft Copilot readiness, testing new security platforms, or simply ensuring help desk personnel align with CrossCountry’s culture, Thrive has earned their trust time and again.

“It works like the internal team I had at my last job of over 12 years,” Fowler said. “I know I can count on my Account Manager, Client Success Manager, Advisory team, and our support POD.”

Culture Fit That Feels Seamless

One of the unexpected wins has been the cultural alignment between the two teams. “Everyone I work with at Thrive, help desk to vCIO, is good-natured, hardworking, and authentic. They feel like old friends or coworkers, not vendors,” shared Fowler.

It’s the strength of these relationships that has proven that the right MSP can do far more than just provide technical support, it can act as a strategic growth enabler and problem solver. Over time, that synergy also helped change internal perception. “When I started, there was a lot of frustration with IT support. But today, leadership openly talks about Thrive as one of our strongest partners.”

Through shared values, proactive solutions, and a deep understanding of the firm’s evolving needs, Thrive has become an integral part of CrossCountry Consulting’s operations. As both organizations continue to grow, their partnership stands as a strong example of how outsourced IT, when done right, can rival and even surpass a traditional in-house team, delivering not just stability and efficiency, but true business value.

“I include Thrive when people ask how big my IT team is, because I wouldn’t get through a week without them.” – Adam Fowler, Cybersecurity & Technology Management Lead, CrossCountry Consulting

About Thrive

Thrive is a NextGen global technology outsourcing provider that empowers small and mid-market organizations to transform their technology into a strategic advantage. Offering a breadth of services from AI and cybersecurity to cloud, compliance, and traditional MSP/MSSP solutions, Thrive’s team of seasoned experts develop strategies that standardize, scale, and automate technology to achieve outsized ROI. From advisory services to a 24×7×365 SOC and NOC, Thrive provides end-to-end IT and cybersecurity management so clients can focus on innovation and growth. With Thrive, your business is always supported and always secure. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Welcome back to another installment of our “Thrive Spotlight” blog series.

Our featured employee is Manal Khan. As Senior Procurement Manager, she wears multiple hats to keep operations running smoothly. While she’s based in Luton, she spends time at Thrive’s London office, too. Manal ensures that all orders are placed in a timely manner and works closely with distributors and suppliers to meet service level agreements (SLAs). A key part of her responsibility is to help drive revenue for the business through effective procurement and supplier management.

Manal’s team also handles contract renewals—both internal and customer-owned—ensuring continuity and minimal disruption. It’s a fast-paced environment that requires attention to detail, strong coordination, and the ability to adapt quickly, all of which she enjoys!

The proud mother to a daughter who keeps her on her toes, Manal is very passionate about self-development and continuous improvement, both for herself and others. In particular, she cares deeply about helping youth understand the important difference between needs and desires when it comes to spending and financial decisions.

Thriving on energy and adventure—Manal loves activities that bring an adrenaline rush, like ziplining, hiking, skydiving, and high ropes courses. She has travelled quite a bit and continues to explore new places, embracing the experiences that come with it. She is a social person who enjoys spending time with others—and most importantly, she’s a big fan of Nutella!

Hi Manal!  Can you tell us about your background and how you came to Thrive?

Raised in a Middle Eastern country with an Asian heritage and truly a citizen of the world, I’ve moved several times throughout my life. People often ask me where I’m from, but the UK is where I came to study and ultimately made my home.

After graduating, I began my career in sales, procurement, and banking—roles that provided a strong foundation in commercial operations. In 2016, I relocated to Luton and joined Thrive (formerly ONI) as a Pricing Assistant. This opportunity introduced me to the dynamic world of Cisco, distributor networks, and supplier management.

Over nearly a decade at Thrive, I’ve progressed from Coordinator to Team Leader, and now serve as Senior Procurement Manager, where I manage the full procurement cycle end to end. From supplier selection and negotiation to contract management, purchasing, and delivery, I oversee all aspects to ensure operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This comprehensive experience has strengthened my expertise in purchasing, procurement strategy, and supplier relationship management.

I thrive on continuous learning and welcome new challenges that drive both personal growth and organisational success.

Where did you go to school or get training?

I completed my schooling in a small country called Kuwait, located in the Middle East. Later, I moved to London for university, where I pursued my higher education. I also studied for my MCIPS qualification independently, complementing it with hands-on, on-the-job training that helped me apply my learning in real-world scenarios.

What do you most enjoy about working for Thrive?

Some of the things I value most are the people and culture at Thrive. We work collaboratively, support one another, and share a strong sense of teamwork. Of course, there are days when things don’t go as planned—but in those moments, we come together, share ideas, and focus on finding solutions. It’s this collaborative spirit that makes the challenges manageable and the wins even more rewarding.

Are there any recent exciting projects at Thrive you can tell us about?

Global transactions are an exciting and ongoing area of focus. We’re working closely with multiple teams to deliver projects across international regions. Whether it’s a client based in the US or setting up operations in the UK or APAC, the process is made possible through strong coordination and the global presence of Thrive.

These projects require close collaboration across departments—from procurement and purchasing to finance and project delivery. It’s a complex process, but one that showcases the strength of teamwork and the value of having a truly connected global operation.

Are you interested in learning more about Thrive? Click here! 

Don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news, and continue checking our blog for more in our “Thrive Employee Spotlight” series. Until next time… 

New contract will provide state and local governments with modern technology services

Boston, MA, November 19, 2025— Thrive, a global technology outsourcing provider for cybersecurity, cloud, and IT managed services, today announced it has been awarded a contract for Data Storage, Data Communications & Networking Equipment and Related Services by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR). This latest award adds to the list of state and local governments that trust Thrive to provide them with state-of-the-art technology, including Thrive’s cloud storage services.

DIR delivers technology solutions to state and local government entities, enabling all government levels to access modern and secure technology. Since DIR handles the procurement process and leverages the State of Texas’ purchasing power to negotiate lower rates, government agencies will save time and money by purchasing technology through them. With this contract, DIR customers will have access to Thrive’s cloud storage services under DIR Contract Number: DIR-CPO-5407.

“Thrive is committed to delivering products that meet the high standards necessary for government agencies to function. This new contract with DIR will ensure that more local and state governments will have access to modern technology that will enable them to function more efficiently,” said Bill McLaughlin, CEO of Thrive. “Thrive has more than 20 years of experience working with state and local governments, and we understand the intricate and sensitive nature of their business.”

To enable these organizations to strengthen their cybersecurity and better protect their data, Thrive has an experienced, dedicated public sector team. This team delivers proactive, fully managed security solutions designed to protect state agencies from cyber risk.

To learn more about Thrive, visit the website.

About Thrive

Thrive is a NextGen global technology outsourcing provider that empowers small and mid-market organizations to transform their technology into a strategic advantage. Offering a breadth of services from AI and cybersecurity to cloud, compliance, and traditional MSP/MSSP solutions, Thrive’s team of seasoned experts develop strategies that standardize, scale, and automate technology to achieve outsized ROI. From advisory services to a 24×7×365 SOC and NOC, Thrive provides end-to-end IT and cybersecurity management so clients can focus on innovation and growth. With Thrive, your business is always supported and always secure. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Contacts

Hannah Johnston

thrive@v2comms.com

As cyberattacks and data breaches continue to proliferate, businesses themselves are under increasing pressure to ensure their own cyber resilience and continuity planning in case of downtime. But what about the third-party vendors they work with?

Risk taken on when partnering with third-party vendors must be considered in the context of strong security posture, as the vendor can quickly become the weakest link in the system.

But it’s a threat that is going amiss among many organisations. The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 in the UK shows that only just over one in ten businesses have reviewed the risks posed by their immediate suppliers (14%) and only 7% were exploring the risk to their wider supply chain.

We’re entering a new frontier in healthcare: One powered by data at every stage, from patient recordkeeping and diagnostics to population health and billing. The use cases and advantages are numerous and well documented. The risks, however, get far less airtime, leaving organizations vulnerable in ways they can’t yet imagine.

Imagine a hospital that relies on an AI-powered triage assistant, celebrated for its quick decision-making and life-saving pattern recognition that catches anomalies too subtle for the human eye. Now imagine a bad actor getting access to that system, inadvertently unlocking the same troves of HIPAA-protected patient records, clinician prompts, and hospital data that powers its intelligence.

Leading global MSP/MSSP closes fifth acquisition of 2025 marks expansion into Central US

Boston, MA, November 11, 2025 – Thrive, a global technology outsourcing provider for managed AI, cybersecurity, cloud, and IT managed services, today announced its acquisition of Worksighted, a leading IT company that specializes in personalized IT support from infrastructure and security to ongoing support and training. The company, based in Michigan, marks Thrive’s fifth acquisition of the year and continued expansion into the Midwest following Safety Net and VitalCORE acquisitions.

Worksighted has more than two decades of experience as a trusted MSP and offers tailored solutions that transform IT for businesses. Known for putting “people at the heart of technology,” Worksighted brings a unique blend of vision, empathy, and expertise. The commitment to put the people at the center of the strategy aligns with Thrive’s own priority of culture and excellence.

“As Thrive continues to expand our offerings in this rapidly evolving technology landscape, we are committed to offering not only the best technology to our customers, but the best experience,” said Bill McLaughlin, CEO of Thrive. “By bringing Worksighted’s expertise in a personalized approach, we are enhancing our ability to deliver tailored, high-impact outcomes for our clients.”

Worksighted marks Thrive’s 27th acquisition since its founding, and it builds on its focus on providing a best-in-class experience for its customers. Thrive has also launched new key services to ensure customers get the support they need as security and technology continue to evolve, including its new Managed AI services, Compliance Center, and Network Detection and Response services.

“We are proud of the reputation Worksighted has built for delivering best-in-class technology solutions with a truly personalized touch,” said Mike Harris, CEO of Worksighted. “Joining Thrive allows us to scale that approach and bring even greater value to clients. Together, we will be able to continue to deliver an experience that puts humans at the center of technology.”

To learn more about Thrive, visit the website.

About Thrive

Thrive is a NextGen global technology outsourcing provider that empowers small and mid-market organizations to transform their technology into a strategic advantage. Offering a breadth of services from AI and cybersecurity to cloud, compliance, and traditional MSP/MSSP solutions, Thrive’s team of seasoned experts develop strategies that standardize, scale, and automate technology to achieve outsized ROI. From advisory services to a 24×7×365 SOC and NOC, Thrive provides end-to-end IT and cybersecurity management so clients can focus on innovation and growth. With Thrive, your business is always supported and always secure. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Contacts

Hannah Johnston

thrive@v2comms.com

In just the past five years or so, ransomware attacks have evolved from niche software created by underground groups into comprehensive software-as-a-service deployments that even the most unsophisticated threats actors can utilise. This availability to almost any nefarious group is pushing ransomware into national security threat territory, rather than just being a corporate issue.

It’s therefore little surprise that, according to the latest figures by the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025.ransomware attacks concern businesses the most (45%), well ahead of any other type of threat including cyber-enabled fraud and supply chain disruption.

To prepare for what now seems to be an inevitable reality, there are three questions that every business needs to ask itself today.