Simply Techspace co-founder shortlisted for Northamptonshire Business Person of the Year
Simply Techspace co-founder Matt Dann has been shortlisted for Business Person of the Year at the 2026 Northamptonshire Business Awards, recognising the leadership behind one of the UK's fastest-growing managed service providers.
The award celebrates business leaders who have demonstrated exceptional vision, commercial success and a positive impact on their employees, customers and the wider business community.
Founded by Matt Dann and Jon Bautista in 2023, Simply Techspace has grown from a two-person start-up into a 25-strong team supporting more than 250 customers across the UK and internationally.
During the awards qualifying period alone, turnover exceeded £4 million, with recurring managed service revenue reaching £1 million annually. The business has also expanded into the UAE, secured a place on the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) procurement framework, successfully integrated Red Dragon IT and continues to attract between 10 and 15 new customers every month.
However, Matt believes the nomination reflects far more than financial performance.
He said: "It's a real honour to be shortlisted. I've always believed you can build a successful company without losing sight of what matters most - looking after your people, doing the right thing by customers, giving back to local and business communities, and creating a culture where everyone feels they can thrive. This award recognises those values, and being shortlisted is something I'm incredibly proud of."
Simply Techspace has built its reputation on challenging traditional perceptions of the IT industry by combining technical expertise with a people-first approach.
The business has maintained 100% customer retention since launch, with around half of all new business coming through referrals from existing retained customers. Alongside continued commercial growth, the company has invested heavily in developing its people, creating leadership opportunities and shareholding arrangements for employees, while supporting charities, community organisations and young people through partnerships across Northamptonshire.
Jon Bautista, co-founder of Simply Techspace, added: "Anyone who knows Matt will know this recognition is thoroughly deserved. We have built a business where people genuinely enjoy coming to work, customers become long-term partners and growth has never come at the expense of culture.
"Everything we've achieved as a business has been built on the values Matt set from day one, and I'm delighted to see those recognised through this shortlist."
This latest success for Simply Techspace builds on an impressive run of recognition. In 2025, the company won the Wilson Browne Spotlight Award and was named runner-up for Business of the Year at the NNBN Business Awards, was crowned Business of the Year at the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards and took home High Growth Business of the Year at the Northamptonshire Business Awards.
The winners of the Northamptonshire Business Awards 2026 will be announced later this year.