We’re incredibly proud to announce that Holistic IT has won the Member Innovation Award at the Network Group Gala 2026 held in Glasgow on Thursday (23 April 2026).
The award recognises our work on the Doncaster Cyber Readiness Programme – a people-focused cyber security initiative designed to help SMEs build practical understanding, confidence, and long-term resilience around Cyber Essentials.
Unlike traditional certification-led approaches, the programme focuses on helping individuals within businesses understand why cyber security controls matter and how they apply in day-to-day operations, not simply how to pass an assessment.
Developed in partnership with the Doncaster Council Advance Employment Hub, the programme combines group learning, one-to-one workshops, practical resources, and guided support across the five Cyber Essentials control areas.
Patrick Louis-Jean, Technical Manager at Holistic IT, said:
“We’re incredibly proud to receive this award, especially as the Network Group Awards are judged by peers and industry experts who understand the challenges businesses and IT providers face every day.
What makes the Doncaster Cyber Readiness Programme special is its focus on people. Cyber Essentials is a strong framework, but the real value comes when individuals understand what the controls mean, why they matter, and how to apply them within their own business.
This programme is about more than certification. It’s about knowledge transfer, confidence, and helping businesses build internal cyber champions.”
The first cohort of the programme includes 10 organisations, with early feedback already showing strong engagement and practical impact.
Luke Shepherd, Managing Director at Holistic IT, added:
“This award is a brilliant recognition of the team’s hard work and the thinking behind the programme.
Doncaster has a strong industrial and business heritage, and as the region continues to grow digitally, cyber resilience has to grow with it.
We’re proud to play a part in helping local businesses become more confident, more informed, and better prepared.”
The Network Group Member Innovation Award recognises organisations delivering new, practical, and impactful ways of supporting businesses through technology and innovation.
As we continue developing future cohorts of the Doncaster Cyber Readiness Programme, we’d like to thank everyone involved – including the businesses taking part, the team behind the programme, and the support from Advance Doncaster and the wider local business community.
If you’d like to learn more about the Doncaster Cyber Readiness Programme, Cyber Essentials, or improving your organisation’s security posture, get in touch with the team at Holistic IT for a chat.
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