Author Archives: Megan Carnes

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

Our featured employee is Matthew Palmer. As a Senior Account Manager, Matthew manages some of the largest and most complex New York-based Financial Services clients at Thrive. You could think of Matt as a quarterback – leading internal Thrive teams by example and navigating the intricacies of account management. 

While he lives in northern New Jersey, and works remotely most of the time, Matt can be found in the office once a week with the Manhattan team. Outside of work, he is an avid runner, running every day to prepare him for several half marathons and the marathon he’s completed. Regular hikes with his dog are a little slower paced! A connoisseur of wine and bourbon, Matt has visited the Kentucky bourbon trail and Napa several times. One trip to Napa included a proposal – she said yes!  Spending time with his wife and two beautiful daughters is the highlight of every day. 

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

I worked in hardware sales (printers, scanners, consumables, etc.) for six years prior to coming to Thrive. I wanted to break into an industry that relied less on hardware (at this time it was barely post-COVID, so the supply chain was a mess!) and had a bright future. When I started, it was eye opening, to say the least, and it took me a while to truly understand what our customers need and how to support them. However, I had great mentors along the way, and I was able to use the myriad of resources we have at Thrive to make sure I had the knowledge I needed to succeed. I am happy to now be one of those resources and help others. 

Where did you go to school or get training?  

I am a Rutgers University graduate; I received my bachelor’s degree in 2012 and my MBA in 2017. Other than that, it’s been learning on the job and retaining as much information as possible along the way. 

What do you most enjoy about working for Thrive?  

There are two specific characteristics about Thrive that I love. For one, we sell basically everything in the IT space, and this makes it much easier for us to be the one provider for a company. Great customer relationships built on trust essentially eliminate the need for them to shop around for other services because they know they can rely on Thrive. Because of the variety of products and services we offer, we have a lot of people with a lot of knowledge, all coming from different backgrounds. The second thing I love about Thrive is the people. It sounds crazy because you’d think everyone could say this about  the company they work for, but Thrive’s employees really care, especially the people at the top. I’ve pulled  executive level employees into meetings for so many different reasons because we all share the common goal of wanting to make our customers happy and support their businesses. One thing I say to every new employee that I work with is, “balance is key to our job.” Finding a way to make our customers love us and be an advocate for us, while at the same time introducing new solutions that can help them achieve their goals can be very difficult to do. Again, it starts with trust and communication. 

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

 Any time we have a new solution, it’s exciting for the Account Management team. It’s sort of the grown-up version of getting a new toy to play with. You need to learn about it and understand it and then get the confidence to go out and talk about it. What we do is all about confidence – in ourselves, our team, our mission, and our level of service. Thrive is always adding new solutions that are the right fit for us and our customers. 

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… 

Just over a year ago, Change Healthcare was the target of the largest medical data breach in U.S. history. The cyberattack impacted over 190 million people in the U.S. and halted the healthcare technology company’s systems, causing months of outages.

The managed services market is off to a powerful start in 2025, with merger and acquisition (M&A) activity surging past $1 billion in disclosed deals during the first quarter (Q1) alone.

But the real story goes deeper than the numbers. According to the Drake Star Q1 2025 MSP Market Update, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a tool – it’s changing how managed service providers (MSPs) operate at every level, from support tickets to strategy.

This article explores how automation and smart tech are changing the MSP industry, and why investors are backing providers that can scale quickly, deliver more value, and stay ahead of client needs.

For MSPs that are looking to make the wise move of going deeper on cybersecurity services, expanding to become an MSSP is one notable option that many are considering right now.

But to be a “true” MSSP requires a major investment that not all MSPs are going to be positioned to make, according to Bill McLaughlin, CEO of Foxborough, Mass.-based service provider Thrive. The company operates multiple Security Operations Center (SOC) locations worldwide, allowing it to provide 24×7 managed security services to customers.

In 2025, many customers “want somebody who’s got expertise in being able to provide security around their enterprise, have the ability to manage it with a SOC 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” McLaughlin said.

Cyberattacks continue to rise, impacting businesses across industries and of all sizes. The severity of cyberattacks is only growing too – in fact, the number of businesses that have experienced a data breach of more than $1M has increased significantly year-over-year, rising from 27% to 36%. Along with costly business disruption, cyberattacks can also result in the loss of consumer trust. According to Statista Research, 56% of consumers said they are not likely at all to trust a company that had experienced a breach with their personal data involved. Organizations must improve their cyber resilience – not just for the sake of business operations, but to maintain customer confidence.  

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

Our featured employee is Zach Des Marais, Director, Corporate Finance & Development.  Throughout Zach’s 7 years at Thrive, his role has greatly transformed.  Currently, his team is responsible for overseeing all of Thrive’s strategic finance/M&A activity.  They are directly involved with all aspects of acquisitions including sourcing, valuation, and managing diligence.  Zach has been involved in 20 out of 23 acquisitions, which has been very exciting for him.   

Zach lives in Foxborough, MA and works out of our Foxborough office.  Outside of deciding which acquisition will come next, Zach likes to go golfing, skiing, and spending time on the water with his wife, their new son Jackson, and dog, Archie.  Zach is also a big Boston sports fan.  

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

I was working in Private Equity consulting and wanted to move into corporate development with a growing company.  I had initially interviewed with Thrive when they were in their old Norwood office, but they were in the middle of an acquisition at the time, so I didn’t end up joining until a few months later.  I stayed in touch with Rob Stephenson and Jay Adams, and when the time was right, I came back and interviewed and ended up joining Thrive that day.  

Where did you go to school or get training?  

I attended Bentley University in Waltham, MA and studied Economics-Finance and Quantitative Perspectives (applied math).  

What do you most enjoy about working for Thrive?  

The people!  Whenever we are talking to a potential acquisition, the first thing I bring up is our amazing team and culture.  I am very fortunate that I get to work with an awesome group of people that are dedicated to growing Thrive into the best MSP in the world!  

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

Last year, we closed on our first acquisition in the Carolinas, The Longleaf Network, based out of Greensboro, NC.  We had been talking with their team for a while, so it was great to finally get it over the finish line.  It was also our second shortest diligence process ever, going from signed LOI to close in just 34 days. 

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… 

Thrive today announced its new Compliance Center. The Compliance Center provides mid-market businesses and public sector organizations with valuable content that aligns with industry-specific needs and international regulations.

The list represents the 50 fastest-growing private companies in Massachusetts  

Boston, MA, May 22, 2025 – Thrive, a global technology outsourcing provider for cybersecurity, Cloud, and traditional managed service provider (MSP) services, announced today that it was ranked #10 in the Boston Business Journal’s 2025 Fast 50. This marks the fifth consecutive year Thrive has been named as one of the fastest-growing private companies in Massachusetts, and the second year in a row it has placed in the top 10. 

Thrive works with leading organizations to ensure their digital transformations are secure, cost-effective, and future-ready. By offering a variety of services and solutions that address today’s most critical cybersecurity and technology gaps, Thrive gives businesses customized services to meet their unique business needs and allows them to focus on what they do best. This approach has led to continued growth for Thrive. The company has completed 17 acquisitions in the last 5 years and now employs over 1,450 people across the U.S., UK, Canada, and APAC regions.  

“By offering world-class service coupled with NextGen solutions to solve some of the most prominent challenges organizations are facing, Thrive has found a winning formula that has allowed us to continue to grow, expand our national and international footprint, innovate, and hire the best talent,” said Bill McLaughlin, Thrive’s CEO. “Thrive’s remarkable growth is the direct result of the hard work of our employees in the Boston region and beyond. This team has propelled us to reach new heights – and we’re not done yet.” 

The BBJ Fast 50 ranks companies based on revenue growth from 2021 to 2024, recognizing businesses that have demonstrated strong leadership, innovation, and resilience in a dynamic economic landscape. The final list was revealed at an awards ceremony on May 13, celebrating the companies helping to drive Boston’s economic momentum. 

To learn more, visit Thrive’s website. If you’re interested in working for Thrive’s award-winning team, visit Thrive’s 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

Thrive Enables Organizations to Protect Data, Enhance Security, and Meet Regulatory Standards  

Boston, MA, May 20, 2025 – Thrive, a global technology outsourcing provider for cybersecurity, Cloud, and IT managed services, today announced its new Compliance Center. The Compliance Center provides mid-market businesses and public sector organizations with valuable content that aligns with industry-specific needs and international regulations, delivering comprehensive support for diverse industries. 

As technology continues to advance, global regulatory expansion continues to advance protections around personal data from cyberattacks or other misuse. With new and evolving standards appearing on the international stage, such as DORA, the EU AI Act, and data privacy laws that differ region to region, maintaining compliance and seamless operations is becoming increasingly complex. With streamlined, compliance-friendly processes and technology in place, mid-market businesses and public sector organizations can focus on growth and innovation. Thrive’s tailored, scalable solutions align with industry-specific needs and international regulations. 

“Whether it’s industry-specific or government-enforced, organizations are facing stricter and ever-changing regulations to ensure they are protecting their users’ data,” said Bill McLaughlin, CEO of Thrive. “Thrive empowers mid-market organizations across the globe to meet regulatory requirements, improve operations, and achieve business goals. By leveraging robust guidelines, best practices, and automation, Thrive optimizes security and mitigates potential fines.” 

Thrive currently supports organizations across various industries – including financial services, healthcare, and government operations– that want to maintain compliance in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Thrive services can effectively help modernize IT infrastructure, managing risk in data protection, business continuity planning, strategic consulting, vCISO services, and secure Cloud operations.  

The Compliance Center builds on Thrive’s teams of subject matter experts, including supporting organizations with DORA regulations, CMMC, CJIS, and more. Thrive experts are also trained to address specific regulatory requirements and policy areas, including HIPAA and SEC. For more information on our newest service, Cyber Essentials (CE) and Cyber Essentials Plus (CE+) consulting, auditing, and certification, see here. To learn more about these offerings, visit Thrive’s website here. 

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

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.