Founded in 2000 by Paul Walker and Mike Batters, Netprotocol has evolved from a small legal IT consultancy into one of the UK’s most trusted managed service providers: helping organisations in the legal, education and professional sectors stay secure, efficient and connected.

The company achieved 8% year-on-year growth in FY25, its strongest performance to date — a testament to the team’s technical expertise, long-term relationships and commitment to quality.

“Reaching our 25th year with record results is something we’re extremely proud of,” said Paul Walker, Managing Director at Netprotocol. “It reflects our long-term partnerships, the expertise within our team and the trust our clients place in us to protect and evolve their systems. In a year where cyber threats have become more sophisticated than ever, our ability to deliver stability and security for clients is what truly defines our success.”

Built for a Changing World

When Paul and Mike started the business in 2000, they left behind a narrow, product-led IT model to build something more people-first and holistic. That approach has become even more relevant two decades later.

“Back then, we wanted to create solutions that genuinely supported people and their businesses,” explained Paul Walker. “The company we worked for focused only on software delivery, but didn’t look at the bigger IT picture. We believed there was a better way.”

“All the surrounding infrastructure and security, which was essential, was seen as a necessary evil,” added Mike Batters, Technical Director. “We realised we could do it better. We could offer full IT solutions that not only supported the software, but helped clients work more efficiently and securely.”

That founding principle, technically led and client focused, continues to define the company’s culture and reputation today.

Evolving Threats, Enduring Values

Over the last 25 years, Netprotocol has guided clients through seismic shifts in the IT landscape, from physical backups to cloud-first ecosystems and now the emergence of AI-driven threats.

“Cybersecurity used to be an afterthought, but now it’s central,” said Paul Walker. “Everything is more interconnected, more strategic, and our role is to make sure our clients stay one step ahead.”

“We were advocating for things like multi-factor authentication back in 2005. No one wanted it then, and now it’s mandatory,” added Mike Batters. “The challenge today is staying resilient amid constant change. AI, cloud repatriation, shifting infrastructures, it’s relentless. But that’s where we thrive.”

A People-First Culture

Despite technological advances, Netprotocol’s success has always been rooted in its people. Many of its team have been with the business for over a decade, and the company’s leadership credits its growth to a shared mindset.

“The people have always been the difference,” said Paul Walker. “We’ve built a team here that feels like a family, and that’s something I don’t take for granted.”

Looking Ahead

As Netprotocol enters its next chapter, it plans to continue investing in advanced cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and client experience to ensure the businesses it supports remain secure, compliant, and ready for the future.

“It’s been a standout year, not only in performance, but in how we show up as a brand,” said Laura Kenny, Fractional Head of Marketing. “Our focus on being technically led and client focused has guided everything we do, from strengthening our cybersecurity message to celebrating 25 years of trusted partnerships. We’re proud of where we’ve come from and confident in where we’re going.”