Our business

Gradient was founded in 1997 by Stephanie Snaith. Since then, we have successfully helped a wide range of businesses, both large and small, to select, implement and improve their ERP business systems. Our most significant selling points are our ethics and reputation.  We build trust with our clients to work closely with them to achieve successful outcomes.  As a result, our clients are willing to provide references and case study material for us.

We are proud that the majority of the work we acquire comes through word of mouth.

Our projects over the years have brought us into contact with a large number of software vendors with whom we have excellent working relationships.  However, we ensure we still retain complete impartiality in order to help our customers select the right solution for their business.

Our people

From small beginnings, we have now grown our core team to over twenty along with support from a small group of trusted associates.

Most of our team have either worked in end user ERP roles or run their own businesses, so can empathise with our clients’ issues and bring a strong level of understanding as to how to solve their problems.

We encourage all team members to allocate time for external training and personal development to ensure we keep abreast of market trends, best practices and latest ERP vendor offerings.

Despite our growth, we remain agile in our consultants being flexible to client requirements and timings whilst retaining a structured approach to ERP implementations.

Our approach

We believe that the selection of a new ERP system should begin with business needs and not with a list of potential solutions.  Our first step is to determine whether a new ERP system is needed or more simply, whether an improvement project would bring the best out of existing systems.

By choosing Gradient, clients enjoy personal and expert interaction in all operational aspects of their operations to help with business transformation and, perhaps, new ways of thinking.  Working together as one team with both clients and vendors, our consultants ensure all project phases and activities are planned and executed by the right people at the right time.

Our future

Looking ahead, in terms of our clients, we are already delivering a number of larger, global projects and we expect this to continue as we seek to expand our reach.  We will continue to stay close to most ERP vendors by inviting them to present to us regularly, so we better understand their own direction.  We believe this will keep us ahead of the ERP curve and so benefit all our clients.

Finally, our team will also grow in both breadth and depth as we build out our technical expertise, broaden our functional knowledge and skills and also strengthen our Help Desk to offer post go-live support to all our clients.

 

Meet our Gradient team

Stephanie Snaith
Stephanie SnaithDirector

A qualified CIMA accountant with a passion for troubleshooting, Stephanie created Gradient Business Services over 24 years ago, when told she was unemployable!

Experienced in all aspects of delivery, including specification, selection, project management and gap analysis, Stephanie is now more focused on Gradient’s strategic direction & growing the business for the future, but still gets involved with projects that involved complex global financials & her particular favourite – costing!

Stephanie now divides her time between the UK & Spain, where she has recently purchased a large farmhouse & land, that requires a lot of renovation.  So, when not working, she focuses on plans for the house, learning Spanish, travel & photography.

Mike Smith
Mike SmithDirector

Graduating in Economics and then Psychology many years ago, Mike started his career in finance in the City.  This was at the time of the start of the universal use of electronic-based systems to bring efficiencies into the workplace and create competitive advantage, interest in manufacturing created the opportunity to switch into this world.

Over the years work brought opportunities to be part of the creation of and education in using the concepts of reliability centred maintenance as a force to increase availability on the shop floor.  During this period also involved in the creation and running of a company writing specialist warehouse management software.  (Also took the opportunity to study for an MBA).

Subsequently started working with Stephanie and Gradient and over the past five years been working together to create a process and methodology (APEX©) to help companies (particularly manufacturing) to use the implementations of ERP as a catalyst for change and business transformation.

Over the past three years has also bought into and is also growing a small (but growing) MSP in Doncaster – Twenty Four IT Services.

He enjoys music of all types, singing (Bass), and used to play golf when he had time.

Lesley Gardner
Lesley GardnerDirector

Lesley started her life within ERP Consultancy over twenty years ago, she has worked within a variety of software houses in an array of positions, including Consultant, Project Manager, Programme Manager and Consulting Manager.

As well as a wealth of experience within the consultancy world, Lesley has also worked within a wide range of industries, such as timber, distribution, manufacturing and aerospace, leading her to be full of knowledge to the gain of our consultants and clients.

In her spare time Lesley enjoys travelling, sailing in the ocean and finding new white water areas she can go canoeing in, she also practices yoga every week.

David Murray
David MurrayHead of Operations

Working in a commercial environment for over 20 years with substantial project management experience, making a significant contribution to increased company turnover from £6 million to £12 million. Introducing new quality management systems and best practice policies/procedures to improve operations. Extensive experience in managing substantial contracts, budgets and staff within a fast-paced and technically detailed business sector.

With a wealth of IT knowledge which enabled him to develop company websites and improve its reputation and branding. Implementations of business systems include bespoke Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software to establish sales leads and ultimately provide opportunities for new business. The implementation of Sage 50 cloud accounts, cleansing historical data from a previous legacy system and the interfacing of the accounts package with a bespoke PSA system optimised to suit the company’s specific requirements for time and expense management.

My experience, knowledge and proven track record demonstrate a diverse skillset and adaptability to all business processes; making me a valuable asset to any team, but also with the ability to lead teams to achieve success.

In his spare time, David likes to spend most of his time with family and friends, he is a keen sportsman, enjoys building computers, exploring new cultures and tasting new cuisines.

Paul Ridsdale-Smith
Paul Ridsdale-SmithHead of Transforming

Graduating with a Manufacturing Engineering degree over thirty years ago, Paul has worked in the manufacturing industry since then. Being involved in manufacturing-related digital technologies as they’ve developed, Paul eventually joined the IT department of his organisation, where his expertise and experience in ERP implementations and use developed. His desire to see ERP systems bring benefit to organisations, particularly in manufacturing departments and through good data management, is a driver for his role at Gradient, as the Head of Transforming. He is very aware of the need to address the People and Change aspect of ERP implementations and is qualified as a Change Management Practitioner.

In his spare time, Paul enjoys playing music, growing as much of his food as he can, and applying his engineering skills to everyday challenges (some call it DIY)

Kathryn Ditchfield
Kathryn DitchfieldHead of Projects

Kath started her career in the financial services sector before leaving to have her children. Whilst on maternity, Kath graduated with a degree in Business Studies before returning to work in 2004, then spent the next 16 years working within a warehousing & distribution company in various roles. These roles included IT Project Management plus 8 years on the Senior Management Team where she was responsible for the IT department along with General Office and Facilities.

Kath then joined Gradient in 2020 and now has over 15 years experience managing various IT projects and ERP implementations which stands her in good stead for her role at Gradient as Head of Projects.

Kath enjoys spending her free time going to the theatre, travelling, and spending time with her friends and family.

Lyndon Royall
Lyndon RoyallBusiness Development Manager

Lyndon started his career at 16  as an engineering apprentice with the Ministry of Defence, later becoming a Technical Sales Engineer designing storage and logistic solutions for blue-chip companies. Before joining the Gradient team, he gained many years of experience in the production, management and supply of sub-contract parts to Aerospace, Scientific, Medical and general manufacturing marketplaces. Has first-hand knowledge of related systems, including Sales, ERP, CRM and accreditation such as BS9001 & AS9100.

His years of experience in warehousing solutions, fabrication & precision machining shows a true understanding of the practical side of creating and supplying systems & solutions in these environments.

Outside of work, Lyndon and his family have been foster carers for over 13 years, he also enjoys walking the dogs and cycling through local woodland around North Staffordshire.

Sarah Steinhoefel
Sarah SteinhoefelMarketing Manager

Sarah started her career in Sheffield working in a warehouse. Whilst working here, she was asked to help implement barcode assisted warehousing. In 1999 she moved to Manchester, working as a warehousing support analyst for the company whose software she’d help to put in place.

She has fond memories of working over the millennium, though nothing much went wrong!

Sarah spent 18 years at Infor. The last 6 as a technical support analyst supporting Syteline customers. She often worked with customers, development and management on highly escalated issues progressing them to resolution.

Four years ago she decided she needed a change. She became self-employed as a web designer and digital marketer. A LinkedIn conversation with Stephanie lead to Sarah working with Gradient as a freelance marketer. She’s now part of the team and is looking forward to some new challenges.

In her spare time, Sarah enjoys learning new skills and is an avid reader. She is also an ICF accredited coach.

Why you should work with us

Experienced

We were established in 1997.

About Us

Expert

Over 100 years' experience across the team.

Meet The Team

Independent

We work with you, not for any vendor.

Work With Us

Trusted

Trusted in our field of expertise.

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Contact us or call Gradient now on: +44 (0)1282 463 710