C-Tech Solutions

At 16, C-Tech Managing Director Mike Empson didn’t have a formal plan—or formal qualifications. He left school with good GCSE results, but just didn’t want to stay in education. He’d been aiming for a career in computer engineering when a training provider sent him for an interview with a company that, as it turned out, didn’t deal in computers at all. They did cabling.

It wasn’t what he had in mind—but after being messed about and feeling frustrated, Mike took the job anyway.

“They actually spoke to my mum to offer me the role because I was only 16,” he laughs. “I just wanted to get started.”

That decision kicked off a journey that would eventually lead to C-Tech Solutions, now one of the North East’s most respected fibre optic and infrastructure specialists, known for their work with high-security clients like the MoD and MoJ.

From Trainee to Managing Director

Mike started out as a trainee engineer at Ultimate Communication Systems Ltd, where he worked for six years, moving from the field into the office. He became a system project manager, then a contracts manager, picking up knowledge on the job—everything from installations to project delivery.

“I was quite naïve at the time, but I’d ended up in a strong position. I didn’t have formal trade qualifications at the time—I just worked hard and paid attention. Eventually I decided: I’ve got to do something for myself.”

Around that time, one of his project managers, Simon, suggested a joint venture. They went 50/50 and C-Tech Solutions was born.

A Rocky Start—and a Turning Point

The early days were anything but glamorous. With a new baby at home and no guaranteed income, Mike admits it was nearly over before it began.

“Those first few months were an absolute nightmare. If it wasn’t for Si, I probably would’ve gone back and looked for a PAYE job. But we stuck it out.”

The business began in a tiny two-man office in Middlesbrough, slowly growing as they took on new jobs and brought in a handful of engineers. From there, they moved into a slightly larger space, before finally settling into a purpose-built premises in Guisborough six years ago—just down the road from Mike’s house.

“I remember one night the office alarm went off—I could hear it from outside my house!”

Wearing Many Hats (Sometimes All at Once)

Mike’s job title may say Managing Director, but anyone who’s worked with C-Tech knows he’s still very much hands-on.

“You might be negotiating a £500,000 job one day, and sweeping up the next to help the lads hit a deadline. That’s just how it is. You wear all the hats.”

He credits the company’s growth not to explosive expansion, but to steady, consistent work and a strong team culture.

“We’ve had people here from day one. Our staff turnover’s low—and that must mean we’re doing something right.”

Finding Their Niche in High-Security Work

While C-Tech continues to deliver projects across commercial and industrial sites, the business found a strong niche in high-security fibre optic work, particularly with the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Justice. With security-cleared engineers and a reputation for thorough project management, C-Tech has carved out a space few others in the region operate in.

“It’s not something I’d done before, but it’s been a really good move for us. We pride ourselves on being more involved than most—we don’t just expect the client to manage the site. We get stuck in and make sure it’s done right.”

Looking Ahead

Today, C-Tech juggles many core projects and hopes to add more for a more consistent workflow.

“I’d love to keep growing—but at an enjoyable pace. A few more jobs, a bit more stability. That’s the goal.”

Mike now has two kids (Molly, 13, and Finley, 10) and is finally able to switch off a little more on holidays—something he never could in the early days.

“I was always on my phone. I felt responsible. Now, with a good team around me, I can relax a bit.”

While Simon has since retired (after being gently coaxed back for the odd job, with limited success), Mike’s wife Steph now helps with the accounts, and the company has brought in more project managers to share the load.

And what does C-Tech stand for? No one’s entirely sure.

“Could be cabling technology, could be communication tech. We never really nailed that down,” Mike says with a grin.

Twelve Years Later… Still Going Strong

From a one-room office with no work on the books, to high-level government projects and international clients, C-Tech’s story is one of resilience, relationships, and relentless graft.

“We haven’t changed all that much—we still focus on what we do well, and we keep doing it. That’s how we’ve built the reputation we’ve got.”

📞 Want to work with a team that knows how to get the job done?
Visit www.c-techsolutions.co.uk or check out our latest projects to see what we’re all about.