LDC Top 50 2023

Glenn Scaife left a successful career at BT before co-founding Claritas Solutions, an IT consultancy, in 1996. After 12 years, he took full ownership of the business and began chasing more ambitious contracts. “That’s when we started doubling in size every two years,” he says.

Scaife is an avid supporter of the UK having its own sovereign cloud, and Claritas has invested millions in developing its own version, which is used by the police and government. Money is not a motivator for Scaife. “I know that if people like me don’t invest and keep protecting our data and skills, we’ll be left behind. IT is the driving force in the world right now.”

Q&A

What drives you?

I’m more ambitious now than I have ever been, and I’m passionate about developing the next generation of talent. IT isn’t just a sector, it’s the driving force in the world. I believe in the UK and the experts we have here, and I know that if we don’t invest and keep protecting our data and skills, the UK will be left behind.

What innovations are you working on now?

We have developed a suite of modular software components that can be used for a variety of services, from a case management system used for recording all crimes by police departments to a system, used by the UK Government to monitor bullying. It has also been used to help the NHS, local councils, schools and dental practices to monitor and manage the mental health of its people. We also have a Dropbox rival coming soon, and a new technical helpdesk that is affordable for clients that supports in-house IT teams.

Where does your passion for IT come from?

I used to build crystal set radios when I was 10 years old. No one my age showed any interest in the things I was into. My neighbour was an old-school engineer and fanned my interest. I’ve always loved developing products and, even though I’m 65, I’m still doing it. What I love is that I’m instilling that same passion into the people around me, so they can eventually take over the business.