The team at Ringwood based KFA Connect has helped Operations Director Juliet Ward celebrate 20 years with the successful IT Software Solutions company. Juliet, from Poole, started her career as a trainee programmer with the Poole based gas detection company Seager Ltd and was fortunate to receive training with IBM. It was after a 6 year career break to have her children that she started with Kingfisher Associates, then based at converted farm buildings in Wimborne St Giles, as a part time programmer. It was not until 2013 that she and the New Business Director Richard Austin agreed to purchase the business from the original founders.
“The management buyout was one of the scariest things I have ever done in my life,” admits Juliet. “But we knew it was essential to keep the team of 14 people together and we could give the business an injection of new energy and commitment.”
The company relocated to its current Ringwood offices in 2016 to enable further expansion as the design, development and dedicated system test teams continued to grow and subsequently gained contracts with many national and regional clients.
“It is very satisfying to experience the success of the business. This encourages the trainees that we employ from local schools and colleges. We also enjoy participating in fundraising events for a mix of regional charities which really helps to further bond the team,” said Juliet.
KFA Connect now has a team of 28 and a turnover of £2.5m. The company encourages the use of their cycle to work and electric/hybrid car schemes and recycles their IT equipment through specialist charities.
For further information visit www.kfa.co.uk