LIMA Group

About LIMA Group

LIMA Group, a Manchester-based IT services firm, has been operational since its founding in 1997 by Lisa Thornton and Paul Almond. Initially established as a hardware reseller, the company has strategically shifted its business model over the years. A significant turning point occurred following its acquisition by private equity firm Maven Capital, which steered the company towards becoming a comprehensive managed service provider (MSP). This transition moved LIMA from a focus on one-off hardware sales to cultivating long-term, outcome-driven IT partnerships with its clients. In 2022, Danny Masters, who began his career on a BT customer service desk and progressed through senior roles at Star Technology and Claranet, was appointed CEO to lead this transformation.

The company's core business is providing insight-led IT solutions and services designed to enhance resilience, optimization, and growth for organizations across various sectors, including legal, accountancy, housing, and healthcare. LIMA's revenue model is now primarily based on recurring revenue from managed service contracts, which constitute close to 80% of its business. These contracts, typically spanning 36 months or more, involve managing IT infrastructure, supporting end-users, and delivering continuous security protection. The firm operates by first gaining a deep understanding of a client's business to design and implement scalable, integrated solutions tailored to their specific challenges.

LIMA offers a comprehensive portfolio of services that includes infrastructure and cloud solutions, managed services, IT support, and cybersecurity. The company partners with major technology vendors such as Dell and Microsoft but also develops its own offerings, including the LIMA Cloud platform. A key differentiator is its focus on delivering tangible business outcomes and impact, rather than just technology implementation. The firm's approach is underpinned by what it calls the Four-Cornered™ Methodology, designed to ensure solutions address key challenges and provide a return on investment. LIMA holds several industry accreditations, including Microsoft Gold Partner, NetApp Gold Partner, and VMWare Enterprise Solution Provider, and has been recognized with a Great Place to Work Certified Status.