About Us

Holker IT has, in just ten years, 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 companies to colleges and schools, and from transport and logistics firms to the legal sector.

Today Holker looks to the future, ensuring that services such as Holker Cloud are world class, and its understanding of the development of the sectors in which it works is unparalleled.  In 2020 this led to the acquisition of PC Edutech building further breadth and depth in expertise and resource for a sector that is fast adapting to new technologies and systems, and a generation that is always on the move.

Matthew Metcalfe

Matthew Metcalfe

Managing Director

Matthew founded Holker IT in 2009 after spending more than ten 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, spending time at the famous 24hr Le-mans on occasion.

James Dewhurst

James Dewhurst

Finance Director

James joined Holker in 2014 from a leading National security provider bringing 25 years of experience in finance and technology. Having spent time consulting on a wide range of business development projects, James steered Holker through its second growth phase to becoming a market leader in the outsourced IT sector it is today.

Delivering true client focused innovation and expertise, the result is a new partnership model that sees fees linked to client need, offering the real time flexibility that clients of all sizes demand in today’s increasingly competitive environment.

Fun Fact about James Dewhurst… when he’s not at work he’s either on his boat sailing the high seas, or watching cricket.

Steve McGrath

Steve McGrath

Operations Manager

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 helpdesk 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.  

A highly respected manager, his passion is to lead the best teams, delivering the right services to every customer and drive improvements in the business through interactive and hands-on learning.  In support of his role as the Operations Manager, Steve offers outstanding technical skills and an understanding of the client needs and priorities.

Fun Fact about Steve… When he’s not watching Sport on TV, his favourite programme is Masterchef Australia, yet despite this genuine love for cookery programmes, he does very little cooking, as his wife would say!

James Went

James Went

Technical Manager

Holker acquired PC Edutech, with more than 40 clients in the education sector in July 2020, building on the strength and depth of the education offer and bringing James on board as the Technical Manager.

James brings 12 years of experience in IT companies across a range of sectors and understands the issues in the field having started life as a junior 1st line helpdesk engineer. From early in his career James has been designing and delivering cloud services for customers, developing a detailed understanding of key sector specific applications, and, along with Paul, brings expertise to the Holker Group that is invaluable for our customers.

Fun Fact about James Went… Away from the office, James can be found either in Liverpool cheering on LFC at Anfield, or perfecting his Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes dance moves with his little girl at home.

Paul Taylor

Paul Taylor

Head of Cloud Services

As the Head of Cloud services, Paul is one of Holker’s team of industry leading experts with real technical knowledge.  His background stems from over 10 years’ experience in initially software development, following a Computer Science degree. Following a natural shift to IT Support and then infrastructure engineering, Paul found his passion, specialising in networking and Cloud solutions during a period as the cloud infrastructure manager at a regional ISP.

Today Holker’s Cloud offer, under Paul’s guidance, provides a future proofed and turnkey solution for more than 120 clients including PFP Energy and educational institutions like Denton College in Manchester.

Fun Fact about Paul Taylor… He lived in a car for 10 weeks and visited 20 countries in that time.

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