Our Story
Holker IT based in Burnley Lancashire, has become one of the UK’s leading suppliers of intelligent, business aligned, IT solutions and services. Solutions that recognise the critical importance of security of services and integrity of data to clients’ businesses and brands. Clients ranging from energy and manufacturing companies, to colleges & schools, transport & logistics firms, as well as the legal sector.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Matthew Metcalfe
Chief Executive Officer
Matthew founded Holker IT in 2009 after spending more than 10 years learning his trade as a network engineer.
Rated among the top 10 IT experts in the North West he has led the rapid development of a company founded on honest and outstanding client services and on a principle of working in partnership for the good of all.
Today Holker is a leading supplier of intelligent, client-focused, end-to-end IT and security support and services for businesses large and small across the UK.
Matthew remains a hands-on leader, providing the strategic advice, insight and innovation that delivers operational benefits and economies that are critical to the success of its client’s businesses.
Fun fact about Matthew… He is a classic car enthusiast with a passion for Jaguars and live car races, having spent time at the famous 24hr Le Mans on occasion!
Jemma Holden
Finance Director
Jemma is an experienced director, embodying the diverse and exciting opportunities that have presented her.
Having started her career as an intercompany accountant for AstraZeneca, she branched out into the compliance and insurance sector setting up her own company in 2007, aged 22, before merging with Manchester based, Reich Insurance in 2015. She then went on to set up a new business under the Revilo group of companies, where she owned and ran a Mortgage and Insurance company, Estate Agents and a Used Car sales business.
She Decided to join Holker IT as Finance Director in 2024 after working closely with them over a number of years as a client of theirs and not to mention a long standing friendship with Matthew Metcalfe. Moving to Holker was an easy decision and a new challenge for her in a different industry, and one she will relish in.
A woman of many talents, Jemma is also a busy mother of two. A qualified florist and qualified in British sign language, Jemma admits to being the outdoor type, often found walking with the family and her two dogs and enjoys playing squash. Having pledged to supporting charitable causes, she’s also entered her fifth ‘Tough Mudder’ competition this year in support of the NSPCC.
“Entirely bonkers, but all the best people are”.
Paul Taylor
Technical Director
Paul started his IT career in software development, following a Computer Science degree. He took a natural shift into IT support and infrastructure engineering – where Paul found his passion specialising in networking and Cloud solutions during a period as the cloud infrastructure manager at a regional ISP.
Paul utilises his technical expertise, market knowledge and sector experience to develop new solutions that Holker can offer customers.
He serves as the trouble-shooting point of contact for the team, represents the company’s interests, directing the team as they work on the projects, and facilitating technology transfer during the project.
His main responsibility is the technical side of the business, focusing on professional services support and service desk.
Fun fact about Paul… He lived in a car for 10 weeks and visited 20 countries in that time!
Steve McGrath
Director of Sales Operations
Steve joined Holker as an experienced manager who has worked in the most challenging and sensitive of environments.
From a global MSP supporting a leading Aerospace company where he oversaw more than 90 help desk engineers working to tight SLA’s, to managing the operation of a leading UK pharmacy software and service provider across multiple locations.
More recently Steve has led both Service Delivery and Technical teams delivering both day-to-day operations as well as key strategic technical projects.
Steve offers outstanding technical skills and an understanding of the client needs and priorities.
His passion is to lead the best teams, delivering the right services to every customer and driving improvements in the business.
Fun fact about Steve… When he’s not watching sport on TV, his favourite programme is Masterchef Australia. Ironically despite his love for cookery programmes, he does very little cooking!
Simon McGowan
Head of Service Delivery
Simon has excelled in a number of roles throughout his rapid, five-year rise to the management team here at HOLKER.
After spending his first three months learning the business on the managed service desk, forming key relationships and an understanding of the industry, Simon moved over to the Account Management team.
Within 18 months, Simon was managing the team and, after a spell overseeing customer experience through all areas of the business, he was promoted to his current position of Head of Service Delivery. His role sees him head up the managed service departments ensuring our service delivery is consistently of the highest standard.
Prior to joining HOLKER, Simon enjoyed two spells with car dealership Walker Farrimond, starting out his working life as a sales ledger in their accounts department, before working his way up through the ranks to Sales Manager.
Having regularly crossed paths with fellow current management team members Matthew and Jemma over the years, Simon decided on a change in direction and teamed up with HOLKER in 2019.
An avid Evertonian, outside of work Simon is a keen follower of the NFL, T20 cricket and enjoys the thrill of mountain biking.
