46


INTERVIEW THE BIG


IN ASSOCIATION WITH:


by Ged Henderson


‘NO ONE REMEMBERS YOU FOR YOUR BANK BALANCE’


When Ram Gupta stresses the power of IT he isn’t talking about software, hardware or the latest leaps in technology. He is focusing on how it can change lives.


That belief is why he and his business Nybble handed out more than 1,000 free laptops to struggling children and families in the Blackburn area during the Covid19 pandemic.


The company, headquartered in the town, has used its technological resources to set up a programme tackling the digital divide.


That included donating the devices to children with less privileged backgrounds during the pandemic, allowing them to continue their education remotely at such a difficult time.


It is just one of the ways that Ram and the tech company he founded give back to the community. It remains an ongoing mission for the business.


Those efforts were rewarded last year when he was awarded the prestigious ‘Arte et Labore’ honour at the Hive awards.


They celebrate the businesses of Blackburn with Darwen and Ram was recognised for the work he puts in to supporting local charities and educational establishments as well as championing the fight against digital poverty.


Ram’s approach to business is simple and relatable. He says: “We live in our perfect bubble. We are here in this world for a limited time, it is about making a difference.”


ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) is becoming increasingly important to businesses of all sizes. It always has been for Nybble, even before the term became part of the business world’s language. Ram describes it as a “way of life” and says: “The excitement of business for me is giving back.”


He adds: “How do you want to be remembered? No one is going to remember you for your bank balance.”


As well as taking on digital poverty, Ram and Nybble’s commitment to giving back includes supporting Blackburn’s Youth Zone and raising funds for good causes, ranging from local hospices to help for the area’s homeless.


Last Christmas the company got involved with a ‘secret Santa’ initiative for struggling families. He also sits on the board of another support group called ‘Rummage Rescuers’.


He says: “When you hear a child saying the present that they would like most is a toothbrush you know there is something to be done. We need to create an aspiration for our children that is beyond a toothbrush.”


Founded 25 years ago, Nybble now operates from three locations and its activities range from IT support to audio visual and it also has a growing cyber security and cloud services arm.


Innovation and R&D play an important role in the business. The result is numerous projects. Among them, Ram highlights the work that has been carried out to create an interactive coffee table, complete with screen, and the way Nybble has “revolutionised” the automation of dealership management systems in the automotive sector.


The company is leading the way in the field. Ram says: “We do punch above our weight, but we deliver for our clients in every way. We are innovative as a team and no idea is a bad idea.


“There is no fear in the business, it is all about keeping conversations open and delivering solutions that matter and improve the business’s we look after. It’s the Lancashire way of doing business.”


Nybble itself has continued to change and adapt since it was founded in 1998 as a retail business with a strong export arm and a philosophy putting customer service at the heart of the company. Stores were successfully opened across the North West before a swift change of direction.


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