Our Story
Interfuture has been in business since 1997 and our commitment to excellence and continuing development means that we have been able to attract and keep top talent.
Interfuture was born in 1997, following the complete certainty that:
IT was now an indispensable business tool
Not everyone found it easy and exciting, therefore:
Many businesses needed IT support
Existing providers weren’t doing it well!
Since its early days, Interfuture has had a vision of supporting businesses to focus on what they are good at, by doing what we are good at. These days, no business can operate without the use of a computer, an internet presence of some sort and an effective IT system in place. Large organisations recognised how critical this would be early in the IT revolution but smaller and medium sized organisations haven’t always had the time, expertise or resources for this increasingly important and invaluable business tool.
Interfuture knew, right from the start, that with our support we could enable our clients to operate more effectively and efficiently, getting the most out of their business and helping them to grow and evolve. With a lot of hard work and absolute dedication to exceeding our clients’ expectations, the company has continually expanded and in 2005 relocated to a beautiful barn conversion in the heart of Sussex, where we try to operate sustainably, alongside a colony of bats, a family of field mice and a hive of docile hornets.
In 2011 we were lucky to welcome Paul, our Technical Director, to the team and as the “family” has grown, so has the need for more accommodation. As a result, our lovely barn has undergone a few internal modifications over the years:
Together with growth, we have always focused on continual improvement for the business and this has included encouraging and supporting our staff in keeping up to date with, and expanding their knowledge of, the latest bleeding edge technology. Each of our engineers are studying to achieve additional qualifications through CPD (continual professional development) and we are happy to boast a comprehensive suite of expertise in everything IT, helping our clients stay ahead of the competition.
We are grateful to have a fantastic team of engineers and support staff but it would be remis of us not to mention the adorable Ralph: a Spanish water dog/Wheaten Terrier cross, who is very much a part of the Interfuture team and who always has a cheerful greeting for any visitor.
Meet the Directors
David Williams
(Managing Director)
Paul Collins
(Technical Director)
Emma Smart
(Finance Director)
David Williams
Managing Director
My interest in everything IT began when I was very young. Personal computers were only just becoming a “thing” in the 80’s but I couldn’t wait to get my own BBC Micro and start basic coding. I was thrilled when I managed to code my first imagery! Everything was still very basic – back then it was all floppy disks, the ping pong game and space invaders. Anyway, there was no question that I would progress to study computer science at school which led to college and then on to university and a Honours degree in Business Information Technology.
And so began a career in IT, very quickly though, it became clear to me that not everyone shared my enthusiasm and that many people didn’t have the time or inclination to spend hours “playing” around with computer technology. In fact, in the early 1990’s many businesses were only just starting to fully realise the advantages of IT - even large organisations often had just the one token departmental computer, and that was used for nothing more than basic customer databases. Electronic mail (email) and the internet was only just starting to emerge. Letters were still dictated, or handwritten, and sent off to a typing pool in those days! It’s hard to believe now.
By the mid 90’s I knew that there was a desperate and ever-growing need for smaller and medium sized businesses to have access to the sort of help and expertise that they couldn’t afford to have in-house. I was working for an IT support company at that time but found it frustrating, as I could see so many ways in which it could be done better and so, the idea for Interfuture was born.
Since then, we have gone from strength to strength, expanding as we went. We had to move to larger premises and are now located in a fantastic Sussex barn conversion, located on the outskirts of the charming Balcombe, and surrounded by beautiful countryside. My commute to the office could not be more scenic.
We have a great team of professionals, all highly qualified and experienced. Unlike many in this industry, we have very low levels of staff turnover – I like to think that we are a happy community here and part of that is our commitment to continuous training. You can’t rest on your laurels in this industry and so, staff are encouraged to update and expand their knowledge base as often as possible … even me!
Paul Collins
Technical Director
My interest in computers, as it was known then, began from an early age - from the very start I was drawn to IT and was eager to know more. It wasn’t offered as a subject at my school, as it was still relatively new in the education sector, so my initial knowledge and understanding came from my own pursuits outside of school.
These were exciting times and information technology was moving on at a rapid pace. My first computer was an Amstrad CPC 464 but I was always upgrading to keep up with the latest technology and so, had many of the first computers that came to market.
I always knew that I would study IT at college and then move on to an IT-based career. My first job was with Tesco, as a Help Desk Analyst. I’ve always enjoyed problem solving – to me it’s a puzzle to be solved, a personal challenge, I can’t rest until I’ve cracked the code and fixed it.
After Tesco, I expanded my knowledge and experience with other IT roles in other companies, until I joined Interfuture, in 2011, as the Technical Director. The Company has expanded considerably since I joined and we now have a fantastic team of engineers, and clients from almost every type of industry.
Our engineers are a friendly bunch of lads (yes, all guys I’m afraid, this career still doesn’t attract many women) who live, sleep and dream IT, but it takes more than just exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills for this role. To do their job well, our engineers must have good communication and interpersonal skills, as well as organisational and time management skills - not always easy to find in one person! As a service provider, we know that we are only as good as the staff we employ and I’m proud to say that we’ve got a really good team here.
Emma Smart
Finance Director
I started working for Interfuture Systems in 2000 so, after David, I am one of the longest serving members of the team! We have a low staff turnover here, which must show what a good company it is to work for.
I’m one of those modern Mum’s juggling children and work – I’m busy but I enjoy what I do and now that the children are teenagers and a bit more independent, things are getting a little less hectic.
My role at Interfuture is to oversee everything non-technical such as the finance department, office management, HR, health and safety - so an interesting and varied role. The business is always buzzing with some new idea or potential project and we are always looking to develop and improve. This year we have been exploring solar energy which is very exciting and something that we hope to take forward at some point in the future.
In July this year (2022) we celebrated our 25th year anniversary and in looking back at how far we have come in those years, we have been inspired to make big plans for the future. So far this year, we have taken on three new members of staff and are undergoing a bit of a makeover: from the new website, to solar panels on the roof, to more community activity, webinars and newsletters. After the restrictions of the last 2 years, we are excited to be back out there, getting on with business.
Sponsorship
As a successful modern company Interfuture recognise the importance of supporting those less fortunate than ourselves and the community in which we operate.
Sponsorship
As a successful modern company Interfuture recognises the importance of supporting those less fortunate than ourselves and the community in which we operate.
We are immensely proud of our involvement with, and sponsorship of, a variety of carefully chosen charities, and will continue to support those charities that are close to the hearts of our team members:
Help for Heroes was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry in October 2007 out of a desire to help the wounded Servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. The message of the charity is simple: Help for Heroes are strictly non political and non critical; we simply want to help. Help for Heroes believe that anyone who volunteers to serve in time of war, knowing that they may risk all, is a hero. These are ordinary people doing extraordinary things and some of them are living with the consequences of their service for life.
Interfuture has supported Help for Heroes for many years and is pleased to be associated with such an amazing charity.
Circus Starr brings all the fun of the circus to children and families that may have found this difficult in the past. We know that a circus is a family event that brings everyone closer, encourages creativity and allows people to become stronger and more able to face life’s challenges head on. We tour the UK bringing the very best in circus talent from around the world and stage 148 incredible, animal-free shows every year.
Interfuture has supported Circus Starr since 2020 …. because we believe that every child deserves a little magic!
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