Author Archives: Megan Carnes

Founded in 1990, The Johnson Partnership is one of the largest criminal law firms in the East Midlands, operating from 11 offices across the region and employing over 150 staff. They specialise exclusively in criminal law, fraud, and prison law. Office Manager Dawn Twigg, who joined the firm in 1993, has witnessed its growth firsthand, and with that, a growing need for secure, modern, and dependable IT systems.

Strengthening Trust After a Transition

Following the acquisition of their long-standing IT provider, The Johnson Partnership transitioned to Thrive, a much larger Managed Service Provider (MSP). The acquisition brought several adjustments and unknowns, but the assignment of a UK-based support team and an outstanding Advisory Service team led to a confident, long-term partnership. Dawn and the staff at The Johnson Partnership built a solid working relationship with their team at Thrive. Thrive listened to feedback, adjusted processes, and brought back a level of familiarity and responsiveness that the firm’s staff had come to value.

Laying the Foundation for Cyber Essentials

The Johnson Partnership renewed their contract with Thrive, driven in large part by the need to obtain Cyber Essentials certification, which had become a mandatory requirement for solicitors renewing their firm’s contracts. Without it, they would no longer be permitted to practice. The certification effort is a massive undertaking and includes server upgrades, hardware replacements, software compliance, and a move towards a cloud-first environment.

The Thrive project team helping The Johnson Partnership holds weekly meetings and provides hands-on support throughout each phase. While the path to Cyber Essentials requires a significant investment in time and money, the firm will eventually realise savings by modernising their technology. For example, decommissioning physical servers and moving services fully to the cloud eliminates the need to maintain, support, and replace expensive hardware, licensing, and warranties. Cloud migration is also an important step in enhancing both security and efficiency.

A Relationship That Drives Business Results

While the technical work has been substantial, the biggest impact of the project has been the strengthening of the partnership to the point that Thrive feels like an extension of the firm’s team. Staff now benefit from prompt, reliable support, and Dawn bears less of the burden of acting as a go-between. The goal is to ensure staff feel confident going directly to Thrive when issues arise.

What changed everything was the trusted relationship. “I can only commend Thrive,” Dawn shared. “They listened, made improvements, and have supported us every step of the way.” The firm’s Account Manager, Project Manager, Client Success Manager, and support POD all work together to ensure the best experience for Dawn and her team. As the Cyber Essentials work nears completion, The Johnson Partnership is better equipped for the future and well on track to meet its compliance deadline.

In the end, it’s not just about technology, policies, or processes, it’s about the people behind them.

“The Thrive team has been fantastic – proactive, responsive, and fully invested in helping us reach our goals.” – Dawn Twigg, Office Manager at The Johnson Partnership

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.

Daniel Stark Law, renowned for their commitment to excellence also stands out in their industry for leveraging technology to deliver exceptional results. Seeking to further improve their operational efficiency, Daniel Stark partnered with Thrive. This collaboration introduced innovative solutions and enhanced security, guiding the firm into a future powered by robust infrastructure.

The Search for a Strategic Ally

With ambitious goals, Daniel Stark explored Managed Services to boost performance, scalability, flexibility, and cybersecurity. Introduced by Bluewave Technology Group, Chief Technology Officer Jeff Richardson recalled, “Thrive’s presentation set them apart. They truly stood out compared to everybody else.” Confident in Thrive’s expertise, both organizations anticipated a partnership that would redefine success.

Onboarding Without Headaches

Thrive’s thorough assessment exceeded expectations. “The onboarding Project Manager was incredible – the best I’ve ever had,” said Jeff, praising the seamless transition. Advisory Services ensured alignment with best practices, while tailored solutions such as workstation patching, managed security, and infrastructure management delivered immediate value and peace of mind.

Security First, Always

Sensitive client data is the lifeblood of any legal firm. Thrive’s layered approach fortified Daniel Stark’s infrastructure, ensuring threats are addressed before they arise. “We are proactive, taking care of our infrastructure before there are issues,” Jeff emphasized. This commitment positions the firm as an industry leader in technology-driven security.

Cloud-Powered Agility

Beyond foundational services, Daniel Stark embraced Thrive’s advanced cloud solutions, enabling secure, anytime access to data and applications. Continuous monitoring and 24/7 support keep systems optimized, freeing the legal team to focus on delivering exceptional client outcomes.

Innovation That Never Stops

Thrive’s dedication to progress has fostered a culture of continuous improvement at Daniel Stark Law. As the firm grows, Thrive remains a trusted partner, driving transformation with cutting-edge technology and unmatched expertise. This partnership is grounded in reliability and transparency, ensuring every solution supports the firm’s long-term goals. By prioritizing trust and open communication, Thrive enables Daniel Stark to confidently embrace innovation and maintain a competitive edge.

“Our partnership with Thrive has been transformative, empowering us with tailored solutions that drive business outcomes and success.” – Jeff Richardson, Chief Technology Officer at Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers

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.

The healthcare sector’s AI ambitions are accelerating, from augmented telehealth and diagnostics to streamlined billing, claims, and scheduling. But as health systems integrate AI deeper into their workflows, one critical question often gets overlooked: How secure are the models themselves? For CIOs and CISOs, the risk goes far beyond traditional data breaches. AI models fine-tuned on patient health information, imaging, electronic health records, or claims data can become open gateways to HIPAA-protected content.

With the ability to create and creatively employ leading-edge technologies, IT companies and departments seemingly have all the methods and answers to resolve customers’ issues to provide excellent customer experiences (CXs).

But there are occasions when even the best IT firms need a little help.

“Establishing a dedicated Cyber Unit to coordinate risk management and incident response takes these benefits a step further, making it easier for organisations and departments across the public sector to share intelligence, apply consistent standards and act quickly and effectively when incidents occur, reducing disruption to essential services,” commented Ian Bowell, virtual CISO at Thrive.

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

Our featured employee is Jamie Davey. Jamie manages the UK 02 Pod which provides end-user support for a wide range of clients. In his role, he oversees the day-to-day operations of his team, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and offering his supporting so they can meet client needs efficiently and effectively.

When he’s not in the Nottingham office, Jamie enjoys playing games, taking his dog on long walks through the British countryside, and (not surprisingly!) tinkering with PCs. He likes the creative side of building and customizing PC setups – he looks at it as both a hobby and a way to keep learning. Jamie recognises that it’s important to switch off and recharge, which he does by getting out in nature and exploring new places with his dog.

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

I started my journey almost 10 years ago when I joined a company called Custard as an apprentice at just 18 years old. Over the years, I worked my way up through various roles, constantly learning and developing my skills. Custard was acquired by Thrive and I’ve since continued to grow within the company, eventually progressing to the role of Service Delivery Manager. It’s been a rewarding journey and I’m proud to be part of the Thrive team.

Where did you go to school or get training?

I completed my training through an apprenticeship when I first joined Custard. It was a great way to gain hands-on experience while developing my skills in a real working environment, and it laid the foundation for the career I’ve built today. I’ve continued to learn and grow by gaining qualifications throughout my career, which has helped me progress and take on new challenges along the way.

What do you most enjoy about working for Thrive?

What I love most about working at Thrive is the incredible culture and the amazing people I get to work with every day. There’s such a positive, supportive atmosphere that really brings out the best in everyone. I also really value the constant opportunities to learn and grow, there’s always something new to get involved with, and plenty of chances to progress and challenge yourself.

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

One exciting project I’ve recently been involved in is a new initiative bringing together people from across all regions of the UK to share ideas on how we can make Thrive the best place to work. It’s all about strengthening and building on the amazing culture we already have. It’s been great to collaborate with colleagues from different teams and regions, all working towards the same goal of making Thrive an even better place for everyone.

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… 

Annual awards program recognizes exceptional partner collaborations  

Boston, Jan. 7, 2026 – Thrive, a global technology outsourcing provider for cybersecurity, cloud, and IT managed services, today announced the winners of its Outstanding Partner Awards. Thrive is pleased to recognize Avant Communications as Technology Solutions Distributor (TSD) of the Year, Data Technology Brokers as Partner of the Year, and Bridgepointe Technologies as Challenger of the Year.

Thrive partners with the industry’s best-in-class technology and channel companies, enabling it to build, deliver, and support the superior NextGen 3.0 managed services its customers have come to expect. The company’s annual Outstanding Partner Awards honor Thrive’s partners who exemplify collaboration, innovation, and shared success that define its partner ecosystem. The winners of the 2026 Outstanding Partner Awards demonstrated significant contributions that allowed Thrive to continue to drive innovation and growth for its customers. Winners include:

• AVANT Communications, recognized for the second year in a row for TSD of the year, is a platform for IT decision-making and one of the nation’s premier Technology Services Distributors. AVANT helps Thrive keep ahead of the accelerating pace of change by providing the resources and relationships needed to navigate the ever-changing world of communications and IT infrastructure successfully.
• Data Technology Brokers, an innovative IT consulting firm, is recognized as Partner of the Year. Data Technology Brokers partners with Thrive to offer efficient, networking, voice, managed Services, cybersecurity, and AI— all backed by a risk-free consultation approach.
• Bridgepointe Technologies, one of the nation’s leading tech advisory firms, is recognized as the Challenger of the Year. Bridgepointe is a trusted partner to Thrive, bringing a breadth and depth of technical expertise, so all customers’ technology journeys are seamless and stress-free. The company was recognized for Partner of the Year in 2025.

“We’re proud to honor partners who consistently go above and beyond to deliver meaningful results and move our industry forward. This year’s recipients of the Outstanding Partner Awards have made an extraordinary impact on the customers we serve together,” said Bill McLaughlin, CEO of Thrive. “Avant Communications, Bridgepointe Technologies, and Data Technology Brokers all share our mission of providing exceptional services to enable our customers to focus on innovation and results.”

To learn more about how Thrive and its partners support businesses in their digital transformation journey, visit the website.

About Thrive

Thrive is a NextGen 3.0 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

Case Study:

Challenge

To increase performance during regular and post-season basketball, NBA team, the Boston Celtics, have invested in a high-grade practice facility, the Red Auerbach Center. The 77,000 square foot facility houses two basketball courts with seating for audiences near 200, along with state-of-the-art media and sports medicine rooms. The difficult task facing the Celtics and Thrive was ensuring that the facility’s IT infrastructure would be able to support the various functions of the space, be secure and also perform at peak efficiency by a stringent grand opening deadline. The enormity of the task at hand included complete networking and security of the media room, and meeting strict compliance requirements for the health center.

Solution

Thrive’s consulting and project management teams partnered with the Celtics’ CTO, Jay Wessland, and his IT Team to create a strategic security plan, as well as a roadmap for the implementation of the center’s hosted environment. The solutions included a business continuity plan powered by Veeam, fully managed Meraki Networking Infrastructure and the successful implementation of a Microsoft Office 365 environment. Overall, the project took numerous hours of careful assessment, engineering and implementation, and was successfully completed in time for the grand opening on June 19, 2018.

Result

The solutions provided by Thrive have helped Mr. Wessland maintain a fully operational and secure facility since its opening in 2018 and allow his IT team focus on the daily operational needs that come with managing the technology of a professional sports team. The Red Auerbach Center is equipped to handle the demands that come with its multifaceted use.

“The Boston Celtics have been working with Thrive for over 14 years. We value the technical expertise they bring as an extension of our IT team. With the additional assistance and expertise of Thrive, we were able to open the Auerbach Center on time, despite the complexity of the project. They continue to provide 24×7 NextGen managed services that enable me and my team to focus on the unique elements and needs of a professional sports organization.” ~ Jay Wessland, CTO

How can Thrive help your business?

Thrive is a leading provider of outsourced IT Infrastructure designed to drive successful business outcomes with our talented engineering teams and suite of Cloud-First, NextGen Managed Services.

To learn more about our services, CONTACT US

Bill McLaughlin named 2025-26 American Heart Association Heart of New York City Chair

NEW YORK, NY, January 6, 2026 – Through the Heart of New York City campaign, Bill McLaughlin, volunteer chair and CEO of Thrive will lead community-wide efforts to help ensure every individual in New York City and beyond has the opportunity for a full, healthy life. The Heart of New York City engages companies, community leaders, and individuals to make a lasting impact across the four chambers of the American Heart Association’s work: discovery, advocacy, access, and knowledge.

Announced in a press release, Thrive, a global technology outsourcing provider, is targeting a $1 billion market position by the end of 2029, following strong revenue growth throughout 2025. The company has executed 27 acquisitions since its inception, including five in 2025, which have expanded its geographic reach and service depth. According to CEO Bill McLaughlin, Thrive focuses on allowing businesses to concentrate on their core operations by addressing their technology needs.