I’ve always been interested in the bit behind the bit.
Not just whether a system works, but why it fails. Not just whether someone has been answered, but whether they feel helped.
That instinct has moved between technology, operations, business, media, hospitality and community service. The tools change. The habit of joining things up does not.
The experience behind the work
A few chapters. One practical instinct.
From warehouse networks to European incident management, MSP leadership and building ventures. Choose a role to explore the detail.
A family of useful ideas
Founder & Owner
Chrystopher James GroupFeb 2021–present
Builds and connects practical commercial ventures and purpose-led projects across technology, media, marketing, AI and physical products.
Shapes the common standard across the group: clear communication, useful services and human support.
Develops ideas from first concept through positioning, systems, websites and day-to-day operation.
Keeps each venture distinct while sharing the same practical, people-first foundations.
Leadership and stewardship
IT & Infrastructure Manager / MSP Division Lead
Ascentas Group Ltd2018–present
Heads the entire IT division, leading the MSP service that grew from the work and client relationships previously built through MELONPUP.
Leads the direction, delivery and day-to-day operation of proactive managed IT services.
Oversees Microsoft 365, cloud and on-premises infrastructure, support, monitoring, security, backup and business continuity.
Translates client needs into dependable technical plans without burying people in avoidable jargon.
Continuity and ownership
Founder & Director
MELONPUP LtdJul 2016–Apr 2019
Created an independent MSP after Iconic IT closed, preserving service continuity and carrying client relationships into a new chapter.
Provided managed IT, consultancy, hosting, domains, web services and remote support to small and medium-sized businesses.
Led infrastructure support, reliability, recovery, health checks and response to business-threatening incidents.
Built the operation around practical, joined-up support rather than a collection of disconnected products.
Building an MSP
Operations Manager
Iconic IT LtdApr 2014–Jul 2016
Built the managed-services division and the operational systems behind it, combining technical design with commercial delivery.
Designed and implemented the MSP platform and its helpdesk, time, expense, quoting, purchasing and inventory processes.
Delivered Microsoft cloud, virtualisation, networking, Wi-Fi, security, continuity and multi-line support services.
Managed complex client environments across Azure, Hyper-V, VMware, Microsoft server products and network-security platforms.
Automation and analysis
Business Analyst / Developer, Central Business Operations Support
Capgemini — ASPIRE for HMRC2011–2012
Combined analysis, automation and reporting to make internal systems and resource processes more efficient.
Designed and implemented an automated onboarding tracker spanning equipment, access, clearances and HR dependencies.
Supported reporting and resource systems used by more than 1,000 employees.
Produced operational and management reporting while removing duplicated manual work.
Scale and service
Incident and Service Management Analyst
Unilever2005–2011
Progressed through service desk, testing, tooling and major-incident roles supporting a large European IT environment.
Supported a European estate covering approximately 44,000 users across 315 sites.
Managed urgent Priority 1 incidents, executive communications, process adherence and service restoration coordination.
Led testing and tooling work during a major service-desk outsourcing and desktop migration programme.
Built automated reporting tools that joined data from multiple systems and produced executive and compliance reports.
People and operations
Customer service, operations and support
Ableworld, Andrews Mobility Solutions and Swan at Forton2003–2005
A varied chapter spanning multi-site EPOS support, mobility-service coordination, web work, customers and hands-on team responsibility.
Provided telephone and on-site EPOS support across five stores.
Managed service diaries, customer requests and supplier relationships in the mobility sector.
Built and maintained a business website and network while continuing to learn through practical delivery.
Foundations
General Assistant
Caring Services UK Ltd1998–2003
An early grounding in practical work, responsibility and making small-business technology useful.
Helped run warehouse, goods-in and outbound operations.
Installed and maintained the business network.
Saw the business transition into Ableworld after its sale in 2002.
1 of 8
The through-line
Listen carefully. Join the dots. Make something useful.
Large organisations showed me the importance of process, evidence and calm coordination. Smaller businesses showed me that a framework means very little if it cannot fit the real day.
Managed services brought both worlds together. Founding ventures added another lesson: eventually somebody has to turn the whiteboard into an actual thing. I rather enjoy being that somebody.