ABOUT ASTARIS


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MEET THE FOUNDERS

Ivan Spencer-Phillips

Head of Technology

 

Ivan is a director of Astaris and handles overall technical direction for the business. He is ultimately responsible for the technology that Astaris uses and deploys to customers.

His experience goes back over 25 years, starting with Windows Server NT4 and has progressed through all iterations of Microsoft operating systems. Specialisms have expanded to include Cisco networking, Meraki, Email defence and many security systems and tools. Through Ivan’s efforts and experience Astaris has grown its Managed IT Services business year on year, with customers staying with Astaris for many years.

Central to what Ivan does is to put customers at the heart of what Astaris does. Not only does this mean translation from tech-speak into plain English but it also involves ensuring that technology helps drive and propel customers forward, rather than being a hindrance to those businesses.

 

Sacha Spencer-Phillips

Commercial Director

 

Sacha Spencer-Phillips is commerical director of Astaris and responsible for strategic direction, vision, growth and performance of Astaris.

As a seasoned professional with 20 years experience in marketing and business management, Sacha’s strengths lay in marketing, finance, human resources, people management and personal development. There is nothing more satisfying for Sacha than nurturing a young member of staff, training and developing their knowledge and watching them grow both personally and professionally to become a unique and valued member of the Astaris team.

Sacha’s working career spans many industries, giving her a rounded experience in various environments. Her marketing career took root back in 1999 whilst working for a fine wine merchant in London, before taking flight to Oz to work for a marketing company where she worked on accounts including Vodafone, Chubb, Chupa Chups and the launch of Microsoft Xbox nationally.

When Sacha made the move back to the UK she started working as Marketing Manager for a cosmetic brand, when after 5 years her desire to start her own company became her focus. In 2009 she started a marketing business offering business to consumer and business to business marketing.

In 2013 in realisation of a long held dream, she forged a partnership with Ivan Spencer-Phillips and Astaris was born. With Ivan’s 25 years’ experience of working in IT, he has all the technical knowledge and experience while Sacha puts a wealth of experience in marketing and business management into running the administrative side of things. Astaris has grown 20% year on year since conception which is testament to the dedication and loyalty of an amazing team, and unyielding focus and desire to succeed.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to reignite the connection between people and technology. At Astaris, we believe IT should be a catalyst for progress, not a source of frustration. Technology at its best stretches boundaries, saves lives, and keeps the world connected. We are dedicated to delivering seamless, healthy, and reliable systems that empower businesses to start their day with confidence.

We believe that a formidable team is built on continuous growth and shared ethics. By transforming challenges into opportunities and nurturing the best in our people, we provide an unparalleled level of service to those who share our vision of a more connected, efficient world.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

“It has been brilliant working with Ivan, Sacha and their team recently. They have implemented and delivered all of our IT networking solutions for Boys Hall. Speedy, efficient and affective service.”

Bradley Lomas

Business owner, Boys Hall

“Astaris have taken the stress and headache out of the IT aspect of our business. While IT and a strong and reliable internet connection and wifi network are key to the successful running of the business, it is not something I want to focus on. 

Astaris have improved and then maintained our systems and have always been at hand if problems arose. I do not hesitate to recommend them”

Alan McGuiness

Business owner, Underground Gym

“I’ve known Astaris for years so I knew I could rely on them to do a great job on installing a complete network solution at my venue.

From a completely empty shell, they installed everything we needed for a really reliable network including a leased line and a failover connection.

They also supplied us with all the PCs and phone system equipment we needed and now maintain it so it keeps working well for us. We were so pleased with how it all worked that we asked them to do the same thing at a second venue we opened.”

Alan Lorrimer

Business Group owner, The Piano Works

“We got Astaris in to install a decent WiFi system for us because it is very important for us to be able to capture customer data for marketing purposes.”

Jason Kennedy

Franchise group owner, Burger King

“I would like to say a big thank you for your services and great interactions we had.

I enjoyed every bit of it and you made our transition to a new office so much easier by not only being ready to help when needed but being very professional, friendly and always mindful of time constraints.”

Virgil Chelu

Service Engineer, Hit Training

“Astaris IT (UK) has provided our Charity, Home Headquarters and Museum with outstanding service for over a decade. Expert, patient, cost-effective and market-leading, Astaris consistently provide state-of-the-Art professionalism “24/7″. So, as a Charity that aims to provide fast welfare solutions globally, we are truly grateful. Household Cavalry Foundation.”

Giles Stibbe OBE

Director, Household Cavalry Foundation

“Astaris offered to adopt us as their local charity. Since then we have transitioned as an organisation to Microsoft 365/Sharepoint Cloud-based working, become a Google Not for Profit and Microsoft charity partner, equipped all our staff with remote working facilities and their own laptops and replaced the spaghetti junction horrorshow that claimed to be our computer network with a nice neat cabinet.

Astaris staff have visited the office, have become firm friends and have sympathetically assisted less technical members of staff who may be stuck in the analogue/digital no man’s land.

Definitely one of the best things to happen for us as a charity in 2020 – and a crucial step forward because of the social restrictions we now have to work within.”

Roy Stannard

Head of Income Generation, Off The Fence Charity

“Astaris contribution to the day to day operations of our charity has been fundamental in bringing about digital transformation. systems, hardware, and software had not been upgraded for many years, and when we moved into Covid lockdown our existing supplier was unable to support us with moving into the new normal.

The patience, expertise and kindness, and critical thinking of the Astaris team has revolutionalised our ability to have operable, manageable, and expandable systems that work for now and into the future. At every corner, they’ve been willing to meet a variety of complex requirements and have been willing to operate flexibly around our needs, which in turn enables us to concentrate on the work we do confident in the knowledge that we are supported and strengthened by a solid and dependable provider and supporter.”

Jacob Whiteside

Life Centre

“Our Point of Sale system wasn’t working properly and causing us serious problems at busy times and, apparently, this was due to our wireless network not working properly.  Astaris came in and fixed it for us and often help us with various IT related bits and pieces. They always give us a good service.”

Peter Marrocco

Business Owner, Marrocco’s Restaurant

“We were very pleased with the work Astaris did on our No 32 Duke Street restaurant to sort out the network connectivity and keep our POS system working properly so when we opened Third Avenue, we asked them to fit it out with everything we needed network-wise for us.  They did a great job and everything’s been working really well and it was helpful that we could pay for it on a monthly basis rather than having a big lump sum to pay when we were just getting the place set up.”

Ben Samandi

Business Owner, Third Avenue Restaurant

“Astaris look after our computer systems for us with antivirus and email security and all that. We don’t have any problems with it so we’re happy.”

Alex Tipping

Business Owner, The Fountain Pub

“I gave Astaris quite a hard task to fit out my gym with everything we needed for a decent computer network because I had quite a tight budget and a very tight time frame. I doubted they’d do it and get everything working properly for when we opened, to be honest. They came through and its been great. I thoroughly recommend them.”

Chris Kraszewski

Business Owner, Three Sixty Fit

“Astaris were able to set up a new WiFi and internet connection in our gym, from installation to the ongoing maintenance we now have a good connection that is reliable. Astaris have been fantastic throughout, I would definitely recommend!”

Weskey Atkinson

Business Owner, Adapt Fitness

“I’m very grateful to Astaris for sorting out the internet in my gym so I asked them to sort the WiFi in my café because it was driving me round the twist.  The PDQs kept cutting out and I had customers complaining that the WiFi wasn’t good. The equipment and wiring that was there already just wasn’t up to the task so Astaris replaced it all and let me spread out the payments for it with their complete care plan.  It means they looked after it too so it was a really handy option.”

Chris Kraszewski

Business Owner, Carats Cafe

“I have worked with Astaris in other venues that I have run. They really know what they are doing when it comes to nightclubs so I had no hesitation in getting them in to set up the WiFi, phones and network at my new venue. As usual they were efficient, and knowledgeable and more over reliable working to a tight deadline.”

Alex Isles

Manager, Tide Beach Club

“After having an absolute disaster where our card machines gave out on a Friday night and we lost a huge amount of money, we got the Astaris guys in to fit us out with some decent kit, sort our lines out and get it all working properly.  

They gave us a backup connection too so we won’t be left in that situation again.

Thank god!”

Albie

Shooshh Nightclub

As a £140m per year business, and being accountable for over 130 Leisure & Culture venues across England and Wales, I knew the transition from Copper to Fibre would be a significant commercial challenge. I also knew that if we were to be successful I would need a business partner who were completely aligned. I engaged the services of Astaris who, through their excellent back office processes and wealth of internal technical and project management talent, have to date, transitioned all but a couple of our sites and in addition to the successful migration, implement VoIP solution too. This has transition programme created a significant opex saving for the business.

Freedom Leisure Group

Andy Smith, Head of IT

OUR CLIENTS

ASTARIS CURRENTLY SUPPORTS

CASE STUDIES

SEAFRONT NIGHTCLUB | BRIGHTON | NETWORK TRANSFORMATION

The Issue
Operating out of a complex, oddly shaped historic building, the nightclub suffered from outdated hardware and an unreliable phone-line connection. These technical failures peaked during a high-traffic Friday night session, resulting in a total network collapse that cost the venue an estimated £25,000 in lost revenue.

The Resolution
To modernise the infrastructure and eliminate single points of failure, we implemented a robust, business-grade ecosystem by installing a high-speed, fibre-optic dedicated leased line to handle heavy data traffic, replacing all legacy equipment with high-performance networking gear capable of navigating the building’s difficult layout, and integrating an automated failover internet connection to ensure the system remains online even if the primary line fails.

The Result
The venue now operates on a secure, resilient network tailored to its unique architecture. Since the installation, the nightclub has experienced zero downtime, protecting their weekend revenue and providing total peace of mind for management.

CASE STUDIES

BURGER FRANSHISE | HOVE | SOCIAL MEDIA WIFI

The Issue
A burger franchisee approached Astaris to implement a professional guest Wi-Fi solution. They weren’t just looking for connectivity; they needed a way to transform their Wi-Fi from a basic utility into a powerful marketing tool. Their goal was to provide high-quality coverage for customers while simultaneously capturing valuable demographic data to better understand their local audience and drive repeat business.

The Resolution
Astaris deployed a specialised Social Wi-Fi solution throughout the chain of restaurants. This system allows guests to access high-speed internet by signing in via their social media profiles. This setup provides the venue with real-time data on customer habits and demographics, all while ensuring the network remains secure and separate from the restaurant’s critical internal systems and Point of Sale (POS) hardware.

The Result
The restaurants now boast seamless, high-performance Wi-Fi that enhances the customer experience. By capturing real-time data through social logins, the franchisee can now tailor their marketing and advertising with precision based on actual customer behavior. This data-driven approach has turned a standard guest service into a high-value asset that supports both operational excellence and long-term brand growth.

CASE STUDIES

LARGE MUSIC VENUE | LONDON | COMPLETE IT FIT OUT

The Issue
Following a successful full-stack IT and telephony installation at their previous venue, the client approached Astaris to replicate that success at a new 7,250 square foot premises. The scale of the new site required a comprehensive infrastructure plan from the ground up, as the business needed a system capable of handling high-volume Point of Sale (POS) transactions, administrative tasks, and digital marketing without the risk of failure during peak hours.

The Resolution
Astaris took full ownership of the project, from specifying the necessary hardware to planning the optimal layout for maximum coverage and efficiency. We managed the end-to-end installation of all computers, printers, and VoIP telephone systems, alongside a robust enterprise-grade WiFi network. To support their digital presence, we also designed and built a high-performance website capable of handling substantial traffic.

The Result
The venue now operates on a rock-solid network that stays reliable even during their busiest shifts, ensuring that payments and guest services are never interrupted. The website we developed has become a powerful marketing tool, consistently attracting 30,000 visitors per month. By providing a unified IT and web solution, we have given the management team the reliable foundation they need to run a high-traffic, modern bar successfully.

CASE STUDIES

HISTORIC PUB | LONDON | WIRELESS NETWORK

The Issue
During a complete refurbishment of this historic London pub, the management team required a comprehensive new wireless network. However, they encountered a significant “dead zone” in the new manager’s office, where the WiFi signal was almost non-existent. Our investigation revealed that the thick, period walls—likely containing remnants of original lead paint—were creating a physical shield that blocked the signal from the nearest wireless access point.

The Resolution
To bypass the interference caused by the building’s historic fabric, Astaris moved away from a purely wireless approach for this specific area. We installed dedicated data cabling directly into the manager’s office, providing a hardwired connection that ignored the lead-paint interference entirely. We also supplied a professional docking station, allowing the manager to “plug and play” his laptop for an instant, high-speed link to the network.

The Result
By combining a site-wide wireless rollout with a strategic hardwired fix for the office, the connectivity issues were completely resolved. The manager now enjoys a rock-solid connection and a streamlined workspace, free from the frustrations of signal drops. The pub now has a modern, reliable infrastructure that respects the challenges of a historic building while delivering 21st-century performance.

CASE STUDIES

ITALIAN RESTAURANT | HOVE | FAILING NETWORK

The Issue
We were contacted by a popular restaurant that was struggling with frequent internet dropouts and total network failures. Upon investigation, our engineers discovered the network hardware was located directly in the kitchen, where it was constantly exposed to grease and high temperatures. Compounding the problem, the router was installed behind the pizza oven; this not only subjected the kit to extreme heat but meant the oven had to cool down for hours before staff could even reach the equipment to attempt a reboot.

The Resolution
Astaris implemented a complete hardware overhaul, replacing the compromised domestic gear with robust, business-grade kit. We bypassed the environmental hazards by relocating the entire network infrastructure to a clean, ventilated area away from the kitchen’s heat, dust, and grease. This new configuration ensured that all critical components remained accessible and protected from the harsh conditions of a busy commercial kitchen.

The Result
The restaurant’s connectivity has worked perfectly ever since, with the previous cycle of “heat-induced” failures completely eliminated. By moving the brains of the business away from the oven, the team can now process orders and payments without interruption. They no longer have to worry about downtime or the logistical nightmare of waiting for equipment to cool down, allowing them to focus entirely on their service.

CASE STUDIES

ABUSE RECOVERY CHARITY | WEST SUSSEX | IT SUPPORT

The Issue
A charity dedicated to supporting abuse survivors was being severely hindered by slow, outdated IT systems. Frequent downtime and technical failures weren’t just a frustration; they were causing critical funding to be wasted on “fixing” old problems rather than supporting survivors. Their legacy infrastructure lacked the security and flexibility required for sensitive remote work, effectively limiting the reach of their vital services.

The Resolution
Astaris upgraded the charity to our Proactive IT Support package, providing a complete overhaul of their digital environment. We implemented a secure, modern networking foundation, high-speed connectivity, and a professional VoIP telephone system. Because we are proud to support the life-changing work they do, Astaris provided all engineering time and consultancy for this project free of charge.

The Result
The charity now operates on a reliable, high-performance IT system that has virtually eliminated downtime. By moving to a modern infrastructure, they have benefited from significantly reduced operational costs and enhanced data security. With the new VoIP and remote-access functionality, their team can now work effectively from any location, ensuring they can provide uninterrupted support to those who need it most.

CASE STUDIES

LEISURE & CULTURE PROVIDER | NATIONWIDE | VoIP DEPLOYMENT

The Issue

A major Leisure & Culture provider managing 130+ venues across England and Wales with an annual turnover of £140 million faced a critical infrastructure challenge. As the UK transitions from copper to fibre, the client was burdened by fragmented, ageing analogue telephony. They required a total replacement of legacy systems to avoid service loss, but the scale presented massive operational hurdles. The goal was to modernise communications without interrupting public connectivity while simultaneously reducing high overhead costs.

The Resolution
Astaris executed a comprehensive hosted VoIP deployment, providing 24/7 monitoring and expert project management. We replaced traditional lines with an internet-based system, enabling unlimited calls and work-anywhere connectivity. The solution included advanced features like IVR, call queuing, and recording to standardise service. Our UK-based specialists managed the seamless migration of nearly all 130 sites, integrating the new VoIP solution directly into upgraded fibre infrastructure.

The Result
The strategic shift achieved nearly 100% estate-wide standardisation. By eliminating individual copper line rentals, the client realised significant OpEx savings and reduced operational costs. Reliability is now enhanced through continuous system health monitoring, identifying faults before they impact productivity. The provider now operates on a future-proof digital foundation that ensures uninterrupted service across their entire national network.

CASE STUDIES

SOCIAL CARE CHARITY | NATIONWIDE | VoIP DEPLOYMENT

The Issue
A leading national social care charity with 1,000+ users across 130 sites faced a critical infrastructure crisis when their incumbent supplier failed to deliver a vital telephony migration. With staff providing life-saving support for addiction and homelessness, stable communication was non-negotiable. What began as a one-month emergency rescue contract to stabilise the failing estate has since evolved into a strategic eight-year partnership.

The Resolution
Astaris took over the full-scale VoIP rollout, deploying a unified softphone system that allows frontline staff to remain mobile. We managed the entire hardware lifecycle, providing bespoke configuration and on-site setup for over 1,000 users. To solve a major administrative burden, Astaris implemented complex, itemised billing for all 130+ individual sites. This provided the financial transparency required to accurately track departmental spend across diverse funding streams.

The Result
The transition delivered long-term stability and eliminated hundreds of manual accounting hours through automated site-specific billing. With “plug-and-play” hardware readiness and 24/7 technical support, the charity’s internal teams have offloaded IT complexity. This future-proofed infrastructure ensures that communication channels for vulnerable service users never go offline, allowing the organisation to refocus its resources entirely on supporting people in recovery.

OUR TEAM

Sacha spencer-phillips commercial director at Astaris

Sacha Spencer-Phillips
Commercial Director

Ivan spencer-phillips head of IT at Astaris

Ivan Spencer-Phillips
IT Director

Shay Mitchell

Shay Mitchell
IT Helpdesk Manager

Harry Beaumont Willard

Harry Beaumont-Willard
IT Support Engineer

Matthew Martin

Matthew Martin
IT Support Engineer

Rob whittlesey - field engineer at Astaris

Rob Whittlesey
IT Support Field Engineer