Author Archives: Megan Carnes

Wilson Vale, a contract catering company operating across several sites throughout the UK, needed an IT solution that could ensure reliable security, operational efficiency, and scalability as the company expanded. Without an in-house IT team, Wilson Vale’s reliance on an external resource was essential to support the business and its growth. They wanted robust IT security, clear guidance on disaster recovery solutions, and a trusted partner capable of managing their technology needs while allowing them to focus on their core business.

Thrive’s Role in Transitioning and Enhancing IT Support

Initially working with Custard Technical Services, who had been acquired by Thrive in November of 2022, Wilson Vale eventually renewed their IT services under Thrive. Claire Turner, Financial Controller at Wilson Vale, described the transition as “initially challenging, as expected when merging two businesses.” The acquisition process was nothing new to Turner, as Wilson Vale had joined forces with Aramark in 2021. The Thrive Account Manager assigned to Wilson Vale played a critical role in helping through the process, offering proactive communication and clear explanations about the services provided.

The team at Thrive ensured that Wilson Vale understood what would be covered under their renewed IT services, helping to merge existing licensing and contracts, and providing a clearer breakdown of their IT costs.

One of the significant projects identified was the company’s disaster recovery system. The disaster recovery site was hosted in an old, inadequate environment that lacked proper cooling and had a failing infrastructure. Recognising the need for change, Thrive recommended transitioning to a cloud-based disaster recovery system. Thrive walked Turner through the various options, explaining the risks of continuing with the outdated system and outlining the benefits of modernisation and cloud migration.

Thrive also provided ongoing cybersecurity training to the team, helping Wilson Vale improve their awareness of cyber threats in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. They took care of organising and managing the training sessions, which had previously been an overlooked area for the catering company.

Results of the Partnership: Smooth Operations and Strategic Guidance 

Since the transition, Wilson Vale has experienced smoother IT operations and has been able to focus more on its catering services without worrying about the technical details. The disaster recovery project has progressed into a cloud migration, with minimal involvement required from Wilson Vale’s team. Thrive handles all the technical aspects of the migration, offering weekly updates and transparent communication, which has been a significant relief for the finance team, who, by default, also handle IT-related issues.

Wilson Vale’s Account Manager has been instrumental in translating complex technical information into clear, actionable advice, bridging the gap between technical jargon and the company’s practical needs. This hands-on support has been invaluable, especially given the minimal in-house IT knowledge. Thrive’s consistent guidance and strategic recommendations have helped Wilson Vale move forward confidently in the face of growing cybersecurity challenges and the increasing demands of a global business environment.

While cost and time savings may not be obviously measurable due to the nature of Wilson Vale’s straightforward IT needs, the company is now in a better position to scale its technology infrastructure to support growth. Thrive has ensured their systems are secure, reliable, and prepared for the future.

A Strong, Trustworthy Partnership 

The collaboration between Wilson Vale and Thrive has allowed the catering company to seamlessly transition into a more secure and reliable IT environment. The MSP’s approach to communication, guidance, and technical expertise has empowered Wilson Vale to focus on its core business without constant disruptions or concerns about IT. Thanks to their relationship with Thrive, Wilson Vale can confidently look towards the future, knowing that their IT infrastructure and security are in capable hands.

“The best compliment I can give is that Thrive and IT are no longer frequent topics of discussion—everything just works as it should.” – Claire Turner, Financial Controller, Wilson Vale

About Thrive

Thrive delivers global technology outsourcing for cybersecurity, Cloud, networking, and other complex IT requirements. Thrive’s NextGen platform enables customers to increase business efficiencies through standardization, scalability, and automation, delivering oversized technology returns on investment (ROI). They accomplish this with advisory services, vCISO, vCIO, consulting, project implementation, solution architects, and a best-in-class subscription-based technology platform. Thrive delivers exceptional high-touch service through its POD approach of subject matter experts and global 24x7x365 SOC, NOC, and centralized services teams. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

“With ServiceNow’s agentic AI solutions, Thrive has shifted our engineering resources closer to the customer, notably improving efficiency and providing improved resolution,” said Michael Gray, chief technology officer at Thrive. “The approach of AI automation and reskilling over the past six months has increased efficiency by routing over 315,000 tasks via automated workflows, which realized 21,000 hours of manual time saved in coding and directing of tasks. We look forward to seeing what else we can accomplish with ServiceNow’s new AI Control Tower and AI Agent Fabric.”

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

Our featured employee is Kelly Grimm, Senior Systems Administrator. Kelly acts as an escalation point for the Service Desk. He is also assigned as a technical resource to certain Thrive client accounts. He lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, near Albuquerque, though he works out of Thrive’s New England region – talk about a commute!  

When he’s not busy supporting customers, Kelly can often be found outdoors. Whether he’s relaxing on a cruise with his wife, or exploring on land, you’ll rarely see him without a camera.  

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

The early years of my career were spent working for a membership campground company, a healthcare co-op, then in the data centers for a grocery wholesaler in western Washington.  In 1998, I went to work for a small, rural telco.  Through acquisitions, I wound up relocating to the East Coast where I worked for Fairpoint Communications and Consolidated Communications in Manchester, New Hampshire.  I worked through various roles, ending my time there as a Systems Architect working on acquisition-related integration projects. After some time at a credit union, I joined Thrive in July of 2021. 

Where did you go to school or get training?  

I attended Clover Park Vocational College in Tacoma, Washington in 1981.  The rest of my training has been on the job. 

What do you most enjoy about working for Thrive?  

As our customers grow and their technology evolves, it provides the opportunity for me to grow my knowledge and skills. The people at Thrive at great to work with, as well. 

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

Almost all my work is driven by customer service requests and their business needs. So, while I’m not involved in many projects, there is always something different and new to learn! 

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

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

‘AI is massively impacting managed services,’ says Thrive CEO Bill McLaughlin. ‘Predictive analytics allow technicians to fix issues faster, offer self-remediation options and provide better customer experiences overall. AI also enhances security by filtering out white noise and focusing on real threats.’

Leading Global MSSP Announces New Executive Appointment to Support Global HR Strategy

Boston, MA, April 23, 2025 – Thrive, a global technology outsourcing provider for cybersecurity, Cloud, and IT managed services, today named Kimberly Saturley as its Chief People Officer (CPO). With experience in scaling organizations, fostering inclusive and high-performing cultures, and building strong global teams, Saturley will oversee Thrive’s overarching HR strategy and operations as the company continues to grow.

With over three decades of experience leading human resources teams in high growth organizations within the technology industry, Saturley brings a deep and strategic expertise across all facets of the people function, including talent acquisition and retention, learning and development, culture transformation, employee engagement and organizational effectiveness.  Before joining Thrive, Kimberly served as the Chief Human Resources Officer for Aqua Security where she built a strategic HR business model, led organizational change management efforts and cultivated cultural, and employee experience initiatives. Her leadership was recognized in the Lead(H)er 2024 series from VentureFizz, celebrating women making an impact in tech

“As Thrive continues to rapidly grow, we are determined to maintain our stellar reputation as a positive place to work by fiercely protecting our culture and advocating for our employees’ growth and development,” said Bill McLaughlin, CEO of Thrive. “Kimberly’s commitment to talent development, employee education, and a people-first culture strongly aligns with our values and as CPO I know she will be a strategic leader for our human resources department.”

Saturley’s appointment comes at an exciting time for Thrive. In January, the company received a strategic investment from Berkshire Partners and Court Square Capital Partners, supporting growth and continued opportunity in the outsourced IT space. The company also appointed Bill McLaughlin as CEO in February.

“As a Boston local and having worked globally in Tech for many years, I’m impressed by Thrive’s reputation as an employer that truly values its people. I’m honored to join as CPO at such an exciting time in the company’s journey. Thrive’s mission, values, and commitment to scaling with heart, clarity, and purpose deeply align with my own. I’m passionate about building a culture where people are enabled and empowered to do their best work, because when our people thrive, our business thrives. I’m excited to build upon a strong foundation, shaping strategies and experiences that empower our teams and elevate Thrive’s next chapter,” said Saturley.

If you’re interested in learning more about open positions at Thrive, visit the careers page.

About Thrive

Thrive delivers global technology outsourcing for cybersecurity, Cloud, networking, and other complex IT requirements. Thrive’s NextGen platform enables customers to increase business efficiencies through standardization, scalability, and automation, delivering oversized technology returns on investment (ROI). They accomplish this with advisory services, vCISO, vCIO, consulting, project implementation, solution architects, and a best-in-class subscription-based technology platform. Thrive delivers exceptional high-touch service through its POD approach of subject matter experts and global 24x7x365 SOC, NOC, and centralized services teams. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Contacts

Hannah Johnston

thrive@v2comms.com

Sand Grove Capital Management, a London-based alternative investment management firm, has long depended on managed IT services to support its operations. Without an internal IT team, they rely entirely on Thrive, their Managed Service Provider (MSP) to maintain a robust, secure, and business-aligned technology environment. In recent years, as market conditions have shifted, Sand Grove reassessed its IT infrastructure and service model to ensure efficiency and resilience. Thrive played a crucial role in assessing their IT operations while fostering business growth and operational improvements.

Overcoming Market Challenges: Strategic Shifts, Cost-Effective Solutions, Strengthened Security

Like many investment firms, Sand Grove encountered several hurdles as it navigated market-based challenges in the early 2020’s. External trends and unforeseen events placed pressure on fund performance, making cost-effective business solutions more critical than ever. Coming to Thrive through the acquisition of their previous MSP, Sand Grove went through a re-contracting process to take advantage of Thrive’s billing and flexible service model.

Thrive’s deep understanding of Sand Grove’s IT environment allowed for a seamless transition to the Thrive platform and ongoing transformation of their operations. Cost savings and service optimisation were achieved through a strategic restructuring of IT services, led by Thrive’s account management team. Their dedicated Account Manager ensured greater cost efficiency without compromising service quality, renegotiating contracts to deliver significant financial savings while strengthening cybersecurity and IT support.

Cybersecurity and compliance efforts saw major advancements with the introduction of DNS filtering, AvePoint M365 backups, and proactive threat monitoring. A physical monitoring device was installed in the server room, complemented by endpoint security measures to mitigate cyber threats. Additionally, Thrive improved the monitoring of remote logins, ensuring immediate alerts for unusual activity.

Operational efficiency also improved as Thrive streamlined Sand Grove’s IT infrastructure. By migrating their portfolio management system to a different environment, inefficiencies caused by multiple vendors were eliminated.

Sand Grove has the peace of mind that comes with knowing Thrive will always do what they can to support the organisation’s growth. When a critical due diligence questionnaire required completion, Thrive’s rapid response enabled Sand Grove to secure new funding, underscoring the strength of their partnership.

Thrive remained proactive in aligning IT services with Sand Grove’s business objectives, ensuring agility and resilience in a competitive financial landscape. Further technological improvements included the deployment of an enhanced incident response framework, ensuring swift action in the face of security incidents.

Prioritising Business Outcomes and Boosting Investor Confidence 

Strategic IT advisory services also played a pivotal role in Sand Grove’s continued success. Regular technical business reviews with their vCIO and Account Manager provided tailored IT guidance aligned with the firm’s evolving needs. Sand Grove’s engagement in Thrive’s industry events, such as the Breakfast Club, fostered valuable knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities.

Through its partnership with Thrive, Sand Grove Capital Management has optimised IT spending, reinforced cybersecurity, streamlined operations, and bolstered investor confidence. Thrive’s proactive partnership, technical expertise, and strategic guidance have been instrumental in positioning Sand Grove for sustained success. This collaboration stands as a testament to the transformative impact of a well-managed IT service relationship, demonstrating how the right MSP can drive business growth and resilience in an ever-evolving financial sector.

“Whenever anyone logs in to their computer from abroad, we get an alert. It’s a nice layer of security. We know things are working and that there is proper monitoring going on.” – Jonathan Groom, Chief Operating Officer, Sand Grove Capital Management

About Thrive

Thrive delivers global technology outsourcing for cybersecurity, Cloud, networking, and other complex IT requirements. Thrive’s NextGen platform enables customers to increase business efficiencies through standardization, scalability, and automation, delivering oversized technology returns on investment (ROI). They accomplish this with advisory services, vCISO, vCIO, consulting, project implementation, solution architects, and a best-in-class subscription-based technology platform. Thrive delivers exceptional high-touch service through its POD approach of subject matter experts and global 24x7x365 SOC, NOC, and centralized services teams. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

One year ago, the Change Healthcare cyberattack caused a disruption of healthcare operations on a massive scale, resulting in outages, payment delays, and cancellation of patient appointments. The attack highlighted the need for healthcare organizations to strengthen their cyber preparedness and security posture and demonstrated the devastating impact an attack can have on care delivery.

One year later, challenges still remain, explains Michael Gray, CTO of Thrive.

“We are still very much at risk,” he says. “A year out after an attack, you know a lot about that attack. I watched the Change Healthcare CEO speak in front of congress about how the attackers got in, and we knew how to stop these attacks 10 years ago. There’s this theme where you can tell people the right way to do things but until they prioritize security, it’s not going to get better.”

The Change Healthcare cyberattack is recognized as the most prominent medical data breach in American history, impacting over 190 million people nationwide. Immediately after the attack, hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies suffered the repercussions as much of their critical infrastructure and operations were halted. In addition to exposing sensitive medical and financial data, the breach froze day-to-day conduct and delayed treatments, ultimately costing the parent company, UnitedHealth Group, a $22 million ransom payment. Over a year later, healthcare organizations are still grappling with the fallout from the attack.

The Change Healthcare attack should not be remembered as a one-off incident but rather as a wake-up call for what could happen to any organization in any industry dealing with sensitive data. To better prepare for and ultimately prevent similar attacks, security experts and IT professionals must learn from this incident and preemptively put the right safeguards in place in their organizations.

Thrive Spotlight: Janet Salvo – Service Delivery Manager

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

Our featured employee is Janet Salvo, Service Delivery Manager. Working in Event Management, Janet and her team are responsible for the monitoring of networks for all our clients and troubleshooting all alerts that come through. Her responsibility in the department is to manage the amazing team that she works with. She tries to make sure that she is always keeping her team, our clients, and the company happy by working on updating our processes and procedures.

Janet lives in Westbook, Maine, just outside of Portland, and works out of our Cumberland, Maine office. Janet loves to spend time with her friends and family. She has a kayak and loves to bring it out on the river, since it is such a peaceful place. Janet also likes live music and is eagerly waiting to go an upcoming country festival in Portland, Maine. She is a Dog Mom to her two beloved Italian Greyhounds, Biscotti and Whisper, and a Bunny Mom to Luna, who all bring her so much joy and laughter.

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

I was a bit of a “Jack of All Trades” before going to school for IT and coming to Thrive. I had many hats: real estate, dog grooming, dog training, and a massage therapist. Each of the positions presented challenges that lead me forward to the next one.

IT has always fascinated me. I started out with an Apple 11e when I was younger and as I grew older, people always came to me to resolve their computer issues. One time, when I was living in California, I was working at the Comedy Store in LA as one of the overnight managers. I took a four-day weekend to Palm Springs and the computer system at “The Store” went down. I had to walk them through getting it back up and running over the phone.

Ultimately, my decision to pursue IT became clear. I enrolled in school, and from there my journey led me to Thrive. This path has aligned perfectly with my long-term career goals, although, once I hit retirement, I think I will get back into dog training!

Where did you go to school or get training?

I attended the Northeast Technical Institute and graduated from the Network Administration and Design Program.

What do you most enjoy about working for Thrive?

Hands down, the people, my teams, the people I work with outside of my team, and our clients. I am a people person, so I love being able to work with so many.  It is also a pleasure to help my team grow. I recently had the chance to help some of my team members move into new departments they dreamed of being in and it was incredibly rewarding.

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

We do have an upcoming project coming up that will greatly impact my team and I am super excited about it. This is in the final stages of being created and as of now, there is no set go live date, so I don’t want to share too much yet. Aside from that, my team is constantly changing processes to make the workload more efficient.

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

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