Ryan Stephenson-Brown is chief operating officer at Evolve, a Wigan-based provider of managed network solutions and IT services.
At 15-years-old, he founded his first managed network services business which has since been incorporated into Evolve and he has been instrumental in the company’s growth, supporting four acquisitions.
As part of a newly formed leadership team, Stephenson-Brown was appointed to the role of COO in May in a move that marks an ‘exciting chapter’ for Evolve.
He was also recently shortlisted in the 2024 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards, in the Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year category.
Here, he shares a recent week in his life…
Monday
I start my day at 6am, always setting two alarms – although I rarely need the second one. Working in this field has taught me the importance of having a fail-over.
Recently, we reached a significant milestone at Evolve with our first-ever investment. This achievement has generated a wave of excitement, energy, and momentum in the office as we push forward with our growth initiatives.
The investment is the culmination of extensive work behind the scenes, involving months of strategic planning and execution. I dedicate the early part of my day to ensuring that these strategic initiatives stay on track.
Our goal is to leverage this investment to fuel our UK and international expansion, with a particular focus on the US market. Currently, we operate around 1,200 sites across the US, mainly in the fuel forecourt sector. With this new capital, we’re poised to expand further into the quick serve restaurant sector — a prospect that has everyone in the office buzzing with anticipation. It’s so rewarding to have such an engaged workforce who has an aligned outlook and celebrate together.
As with every Monday, we have our usual meetings: a 9:30 am huddle with a cross-section of the business, followed by an 11 am sales and marketing meeting. In these sessions, we review sales proposals, discuss customer solutions, and explore ways to enhance our service offerings to existing customers.
Once a month, I also attend a board meeting to discuss the company’s strategic direction. In a week that can be unpredictable, these meetings provide a consistent touchpoint, ensuring that I stay informed and that everyone’s input is valued.
Tuesday
Although there’s no fixed routine to my week, one thing is certain: within five minutes of waking up, I’ll have a clear picture of what transpired in the business overnight. Our 24/7/365 operations ensure that I’m always in the loop, and these overnight updates help me anticipate the day ahead, even if the full scope of what’s to come remains sometimes uncertain.
Having been with Evolve from the very beginning, I’ve been involved in every aspect of the business. This experience enables me to be both reactive and proactive, offering guidance and support to the team. We pride ourselves on our proactive approach, with 90% of customer calls being outbound. This means we often detect and resolve issues before the customer even realises there’s a problem, ensuring optimal service uptime.
Today, I also checked in with our new starters and conducted induction training sessions. These sessions are not only crucial for onboarding new employees but also serve as important refreshers for our existing employees, particularly in core functions like the people team (HR), marketing, and finance who may not be as technical as other people within the business.
Wednesday
Since relocating to Manchester, I usually drive to our Wigan office, leaving early to avoid the morning rush and arrive in time to bid farewell to our night shift. Recruitment is a major part of our growth strategy, and today I’ll be interviewing candidates for several strategic roles.
The new investment allows us to bring in additional expertise, and I’m eager to welcome fresh perspectives to the team. We’ve already seen significant growth, expanding from 23 employees in 2020 to 117 in 2024. Our aim is to increase our national and international headcount by 40% over the next three years, and today’s interviews mark the beginning of that journey.
While expertise is essential, I’m also looking for individuals who align with our culture of curiosity, pace, and dedication. Our people are encouraged to bring innovative ideas to the table, so I’m seeking candidates who are open to fresh thinking and share our ambitions.
In addition to interviews, my day involves various technical tasks. I oversee the general management of company systems, office and warehouse operations and handle any high-level escalations from our Network Operations Centre. The tech aspect of my role is a significant part of my week, often involving the design and implementation of new customer projects.
Thursday
Today begins with several supplier-related tasks, including negotiating contract terms, reviewing potential new suppliers, and addressing both internal and external billing queries.
A key focus today is streamlining our new workflow system and supporting the project rollout. At Evolve, we are committed to continuous improvement and automation, always striving to achieve greater efficiencies. Developing innovative solutions in-house is one of our core strengths. Our development team, led by our CTO Simon, is one of our unique selling points. With 240 hours of in-house development time, we’ve created solutions like Nexus and Vision, which deliver substantial benefits to our customers.
By developing in-house, we can tailor solutions specifically to our needs. Our overarching goal is to simplify connectivity, ensuring that every new development aligns with this mission. It’s rewarding to know that our work is helping customers navigate the complex landscape of digital transformation.
Friday
In my role, I oversee various financial and operational aspects of the business. This includes reviewing and agreeing on budgets with our CFO, managing cost approvals, and developing financial strategies. I also oversee activities by the teams responsible for accounts payable, expenses, and travel systems, ensuring these processes run smoothly.
Additionally, I direct relationships with financial providers, overseeing our banking systems and setups. Fridays are dedicated to addressing meetings and actions related to these responsibilities. As part of my oversight, I manage all company insurance policies, including annual renewals and ad hoc requests throughout the year. I make sure to have a weekly check-in with the CFO and finance team every Friday to ensure we are always on top of our game.
On the legal front, I handle standardised documents such as customer MSAs, reseller agreements, and NDAs. I support in the negotiation with new customer agreements, review supplier contracts, and ensure that all customer orders correspond with the required work orders. I also continuously evaluate business risks and stay updated on legislative changes, which often means spending Friday afternoons reading and reviewing key documents.
Additionally, I oversee the monthly billing process and mentor our new billing manager while further developing the Evolve billing platform. I make it a point to check in with him weekly to ensure we’re making progress.
After a busy week, I might head to the city centre for dinner and perhaps even book a breakout room for the weekend with some friends. It’s the kind of mental challenge that not everyone might enjoy after a workweek, but it’s something I find rewarding and keeps me sharp.
