When CleanTEC first partnered with OnIT Services Ltd more than 20 years ago, neither company could have predicted how much both organisations would grow, individually and together. Through shared values and a genuine commitment to people, the partnership between the two has been built to last. To reflect on their journey, CleanTEC’s MD Peter, sat down with OnIT’s founders, Vicky and Iain, to talk about how the relationship began and how it has evolved over the years.
Built on Similar Beginnings
Both CleanTEC and OnIT were founded around the turn of the millennium, when technology, workspaces, and expectations looked very different from today.
OnIT was born when its founders decided they did not want to continue working within a large corporate structure following a company buyout. Instead, Vicky, Iain and Simon set up their own IT support business, then known as Digital Wireless Solutions, a name inspired by the rapid rise of wireless technology at the time. Like many start-ups, the business began in the back of a garage while they balanced family life and the realities of building something new from scratch. Within two years, they had hired their first employee, and from there the company has grown steadily into the trusted business it is today, now employing a team of nine and providing IT assistance “anywhere that has an internet connection”.
At CleanTEC, founders Peter and Chris had also worked for a large international organisation and believed they could build a business that did better by its people. From those early days, CleanTEC has grown organically into an expert commercial cleaning supplier employing more than 2,500 people.
Where The Two Businesses Met
CleanTEC and OnIT’s paths first crossed in the early 2000s while both were based at Wenta Business Centre. At the time, CleanTEC’s office operation was small, with just five staff and a single computer supporting the business.
“At first my brother helped us out, patching things together,” Peter recalls. “But we realised we needed to do things properly and make sure our data was secure. That’s when we brought OnIT in, around 2004.”
Both companies soon outgrew Wenta. CleanTEC moved to Watford in 2007, where it remains today, while OnIT established its long-term base in Chesham. Although no longer under the same roof, the relationship built during those early years has continued to thrive.
Adapting Through Change
Over the past two decades, both the IT and commercial cleaning industries have evolved a lot.
“When we started, email was on your computer and phones were just for calls, texts, or playing Snake,” Vicky says. “The moment mobile phones became essential work tools was probably the biggest change.”
Peter agrees that technology has become central to how businesses operate.
“There wasn’t even a need for a website when we started,” he explains. “It was only around 2004 or 2005 that we got our first one. After that, technology began changing much faster.”
When discussing developments in technology, it is impossible to ignore AI, but OnIT takes a balanced, practical view. “AI can help with things like writing scripts,” Vicky says, “but you still need the fundamental knowledge. You can’t take it at face value.”
Iain sees it as part of a familiar cycle. “I remember when calculators came along and people said they were cheating,” he says. “AI is a tool. A powerful one, yes, but it is not going to take over our jobs. You still need people who understand what they are doing.”
Ultimately, as Vicky puts it, “people do business with people.”
Why the Partnership has Lasted
When asked why the relationship has endured for so long, the answer from both sides is consistent.
“It comes down to ethos and values,” Vicky explains. “We started at similar times and built our businesses from the ground up.”
Iain agrees. “Peter has built his business from scratch, just as we have,” he says. “When I visit, I hear people talking to customers. Sometimes they are happy, sometimes they are not, but what matters is that things get put right. That care is real.”
Peter believes longevity creates confidence and trust.
“Cost is always a factor, but it should not be the main one. It is about the expertise, the people, and knowing the systems.”
Both teams recognise a shared characteristic of their industries. Whether it is IT support or commercial cleaning, much of the work happens quietly in the background, only noticed when something goes wrong. Doing that work consistently, and doing it well, is what builds trust over time.
Over the years, the relationship has also evolved alongside OnIT’s expansion into audio visual services, allowing CleanTEC to benefit from broader technical expertise while maintaining the same valued partnership.
Looking to the Future
The future of this partnership remains grounded in strong communication, adaptability, and close collaboration.
“Our business is constantly evolving,” Peter says. “We need a partner who understands that and supports us through those changes.”
After more than two decades of working together, that shared understanding continues to define the relationship, and is why we are confident it will endure for many years to come.
To learn more about OnIT and how their team supports businesses with practical, people-focused IT solutions, visit their website, or simply pop in for a friendly chat and a cuppa.
