Following decades of evolution, the IT team of today is worlds apart from their counterparts of yesteryear. To reflect this change and more accurately represent them in today's world, Shorts' IT team have recently rebranded with their new identity: The Digital Team.
The evolution of the IT team
Fifteen years ago, our IT office at Shorts could be found tucked away at the back of the building - little more than a small cupboard next to the ladies’ restroom at 6 Fairfield Road in Chesterfield. Back then, the IT team’s days revolved around a hardware-focused world: swapping out RAM, installing graphics cards, and burning data onto DVDs for safe keeping. Maintenance meant regular visits to every desk, and troubleshooting began, as ever, with, “Have you tried turning it off and on again?”
Since those beginnings, our IT function has seen remarkable change. Today, the team operates in a digital-first environment, where automation, cloud technology and security by design come as standard. Most helpdesk queries are now about user experience rather than hardware faults, showing a shift away from physical maintenance and towards empowering people through digital tools.
Security now underpins every decision, with all changes and setups carefully reviewed to protect our systems and enhance trust. The entire infrastructure has been rebuilt with resilience at its core.
The team’s evolution was already evident back in 2020, when winning the Team of the Year award at the Yorkshire Accountancy Awards. Judges described them as
“a small but effective team that remains flexible to the needs of the business whilst ensuring 100% availability rate for software applications. The team's automation and simplification efforts impressed, as did their commitment to making the business more environmentally friendly.”
Given this evolution, the term “IT team” is no longer fit for purpose - and so, we are proud to introduce their new identity: The Digital Team.
Introducing The Digital Team
This refreshed name signals a broader role and strategic focus. The Digital Team is no longer just about reactive support; their mission is to embed digital solutions into daily workflows, drive innovation, and unlock growth opportunities across the firm.
Whereas there was once a disconnect between professional services and digital infrastructure—leading to occasional miscommunications and duplicated efforts - the Digital Team now bridges that space. They create connected value, improve margins, and enable our colleagues to do more with less.
Their work centres on two main tracks:
- Quick Wins: Rapidly introducing small automations to streamline tasks and reduce manual effort.
- Big Changes: Leading comprehensive process reviews to deliver smoother operations and greater efficiency, often through cross-team collaboration.
This successful transformation is evident not only in the time and efficiency gains across Shorts, but also in increased team satisfaction, fewer errors, and stronger business results.
The Digital Team’s rebrand marks an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to innovation and operational excellence; supporting our continued growth and enabling all teams to use technology with even greater confidence.
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A group of individuals who consistently work hard, demonstrate outstanding dedication to improvement and development, and maintain a positive, collaborative spirit - complete with enviable banter.
Tags: Team News
