Business Details
26 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted IT Partner in South Woodham Ferrers
Established in 2000, Ahead4 Ltd is a trusted IT services provider based in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex. Our expertise spans computer repairs, web development, VoIP solutions, and bespoke CRM software, serving over 1,500 businesses annually. With a team of experienced professionals, we deliver tailored technology solutions for homes and enterprises across the UK and Europe. Our growth from a local web development firm to a comprehensive IT partner reflects our commitment to innovation and client satisfaction. We pride ourselves on maintaining a personal service approach, supported by in-house engineers and a focus on long-term client relationships. From hardware repairs to complex system integrations, our services are designed to meet evolving technological demands while upholding reliability and transparency.
Services
Computer Repairs
Web Development
VoIP Services
Mobile Repairs
Network Setup
CRM Software
Domain Registration
Hosting Services
IT Support
Office 365
Served areas
- Essex
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of experience in IT services and web development.
- Our team consists of certified experts with in-depth technical knowledge.
- We serve 1,500+ businesses annually across the UK and Europe.
- We offer comprehensive solutions from hardware repairs to CRM software.
- Our engineers provide on-site, remote, and in-store support options.
Associations and certifications
- Nominet Accredited Partner
Services
IT Support Services
We provide comprehensive IT support including hardware repairs, network setup, and remote troubleshooting. Our in-house engineers handle both home and business needs across Essex and beyond. With 24/7 emergency availability, we ensure minimal downtime for critical systems.
Web Development
Our web department creates responsive websites and custom CRM systems tailored to client requirements. From static pages to complex e-commerce platforms, we deliver scalable solutions using modern development frameworks and secure coding practices.
VoIP Solutions
We implement secure VoIP systems with reliable call quality and integrated features for businesses. Our solutions include setup, maintenance, and support for scalable communication infrastructure tailored to enterprise needs.
Mobile Device Repairs
We offer screen replacements and component repairs for smartphones and tablets. Our technicians use genuine parts to restore device functionality while maintaining data integrity during repair processes.
CRM Software Development
Our developers create bespoke CRM systems integrated with existing business workflows. These solutions include inventory management, customer tracking, and automated reporting features built on secure, scalable platforms.
People
Richard Lee-Douglas
Managing Director
Founder with 25+ years in IT, Richard established Ahead4 Ltd in 2000. He oversees strategic growth while maintaining hands-on involvement in complex technical projects and international client relations.
Olly Hay
Head of IT
With extensive networking expertise, Olly manages server infrastructure and remote support operations. He specialises in fault diagnosis and system optimisation across multi-platform environments.
Marc Lough
Head of Web Development
Marc leads software architecture for CRM systems. He ensures technical standards compliance while developing scalable web applications using modern frameworks and security protocols.
James Mills
Head of Web Design
James directs front-end development and client interface design. His team creates visually engaging websites while maintaining functionality across diverse devices and accessibility standards.
Hector Macpherson
Sales Manager
As the first employee, Hector manages client accounts and procurement. He bridges technical capabilities with business requirements to deliver cost-effective IT solutions for commercial clients.
Questions
What IT services do you offer?
We provide computer repairs, network setup, VoIP systems, CRM software, and mobile device repairs for homes and businesses across the UK.
How experienced is your team?
Our engineers have 20+ years combined experience, with specialists in networking, software development, and hardware diagnostics serving 1,500+ businesses annually.
Do you offer emergency support?
Yes, we provide 24/7 emergency IT support for critical system failures with on-site assistance available in Essex and surrounding areas.
Can you develop custom software?
Our web department creates bespoke CRM systems and e-commerce platforms tailored to specific business requirements using secure coding practices.
What areas do you cover?
We operate from South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, serving London, the UK, and European clients with both on-site and remote support options.
Are you Nominet accredited?
Yes, we're an official Nominet registrar for UK domain names, providing registration and management services for both individual and business clients.
Reviews (29)
Annie A.
Feb 28, 2022
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What helpful friendly people! We have been into the shop with various problems. No matter how large or small, nothing is too much. Thank you.
Annie Apps
Feb 19, 2022
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What helpful friendly people! We have been into the shop with various problems. No matter how large or small, nothing is too much. Thank you.
Gary
Dec 21, 2021
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They came around October 2020, done a site visit and went over what I was after and what could be done. Was waiting for some different hardware but everywhere was out of stock, so nearly a year later I decided to get something else. Called up and they was able to arrive the same day, supplied everything that was needed and was done within a few hours. Would highly recommend!
Gary
Dec 04, 2021
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They came around October 2020, done a site visit and went over what I was after and what could be done. Was waiting for some different hardware but everywhere was out of stock, so nearly a year later I decided to get something else. Called up and they was able to arrive the same day, supplied everything that was needed and was done within a few hours. Would highly recommend!
Laura Merchant
Aug 25, 2021
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Popped in to see if the speaker of my iPhone could be fixed and within 3 minutes it was working perfectly and I wasnt even charged. Thank you very much, a very happy customer!
Tom Stephens
Aug 01, 2021
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Excellent prompt service once again. Replaced my Work Iphone's screen a few weeks back and just replaced the charging port on my personal phone. Would highly recommend!
Stephen Hull
Feb 09, 2021
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I have received nothing but the best of service from Ahead4. They have repaired my iPhone, iMac & windows pc. They always keep in touch & ensure I'm fully aware of all prices for the works carried out. Wouldn't consider going anywhere else. All my IT enquiries will always start here.
Holly
Dec 10, 2020
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So many times have we called Ahead4 out for help in an emergency and no matter how busy they are they will always find time to help us. Their service is friendly, professional, fairly priced and they will always speak to us in a non technical way that is understandable to the less technically minded! I would like to thank Richard and the rest of the Ahead4 team for working through difficult times and still always being there to help.
Kevin Hall
Jul 20, 2020
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Took in a dead slow iMac with a dodgy HDD, returned 3 days later to collect upgraded iMac with SDD that seems to be running on rocket juice. Great service and advice. Can't recommend highly enough!
David Dark
Feb 24, 2020
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Popped in today with an issue with my email, walked out 10 minutes later - problem resolved! Excellent service all-round - thanks
Krissy Morgan
Dec 03, 2019
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Brilliant, quick & helpful service from Ahead4 today. Solved my laptop WIFI internet connection problem in super fast time. Third time I've used them & third time I've been very impressed with their service! Definitely recommend & will use again without hesitation. Thank you
Lin Hall
Nov 29, 2019
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AHead4 repaired my IPad and I couldn't be happier, also thought all history was lost but it was still there, would highly recommend
Andy Hill
Nov 07, 2019
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Highly recommended, came in with a broken hard drive not only did the retrieve all the data, they didnt even charge for the labour to do so, Life savers!!! friendly, very knowledgeable, and very helpful thanks again
Scott Weeks
Oct 23, 2019
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I cant recommend these guys enough. The care and patience I was shown (I'm no IT buff!) was first class. Extremely friendly, polite and very fair prices too.
Lillie Ryan
Aug 18, 2019
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I contacted Richard at Ahead4 early Sunday morning to help with printing some flyers as my cat was missing. He replied within an hour and the flyers were printed and ready by the time the shop opened at 11am! Really helpful and would highly recommend. Cant thank you enough.
Jess Pattrick
Aug 13, 2019
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My phone battery had completely stopped working (was losing charge so fast and constantly dying) took it to ahead 4 at 9am and got my phone back with a new battery by 10am and at such a good price! Such fast and good service and was a relief I didnt have to go the whole day without my phone! I also took another phone here a while ago which Apple had told me was unfixable and ahead4 managed to fix it no problem, very honest people and always a great help!
Barbara Dowse
Jul 21, 2019
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After trying to drown my phone I was helped by Harrison who retrieved a lot of my treasured photos and put them on my new phone for me. He was very patient. polite and knowledgeable at all times. If he is an example of the expertise these people have and the service they offer they will be in business a long time.
Lucy Jones
May 10, 2019
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These guys saved me this morning! My laptop screen decided to not work on the morning of my uni assignment submission date! I was in and out with a working laptop within 15 mins. Amazing service, super friendly and really quick! Thanks again guys!
Penny Hobbs
Mar 01, 2019
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Went there today with some pressing phone issues, helped me and went through how I can protect myself and privacy on my phone. Their help, advice and expertise were exceptional. Their service was second to none and I would highly recommend the services of Ahead4.
Richard Martin
Jan 06, 2019
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Excellent. Had computer and memory stick issues. They fixed problem. And at a good price. Friendly guys working there.
Paul Clayton
Sep 19, 2016
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Great professional service today guys. iPad screen replaced and back within a few hours! One happy child again! Well done!
Liam Mardle
Aug 30, 2016
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Brought in my Dogee X5 Pro (Chinese phone) with a broken micro USB charger port. The staff at Ahead4 were very friendly and helpful. John, one of the staff, offered to have a look at the phone for me overnight, but recommended passing it on to a specialist engineer (Third party). Luckily, a few days later, Neil from the third party popped in the shop and managed to fix the port and now my phone works perfectly!
Thanks to Hector for keeping me updated via email and to all the staff who helped with my phone. 5 star service, 5 star turn around time and 5 star knowledge and technical skills. Would recommend to anyone.
Thanks to Hector for keeping me updated via email and to all the staff who helped with my phone. 5 star service, 5 star turn around time and 5 star knowledge and technical skills. Would recommend to anyone.
Richard Brett
I have only dealt with Ahead4 whenever I have had any problems with my laptop and the service has always been fantastic
Helen Woodhall
Fantastic service at Wickford shop. Helpful, kind and patient helping to sort out problems with my sons tablet. Can confidently recommend them!!
Michael Game
Have been usng Ahead4 for about 5 years, never had a prroblem with them. If you are thinking of having a website built check these guys out first, the initial quote may not be as cheap as off the shelf packages, but in the long run its cheaper and better for your business.
David West
I first took my computer to PC World as the power supply failed. PC World kept the machine for a week and phoned to let me know they were unable to fix it. I then found Ahead4 who fixed the computer within about 3 days and all is working fine. Will recommend and return should anything else go wrong.
Caroline Bennett
I cannot thank these guys enough. My 1yr old son threw my iPhone 6 down the toilet and these guys brought it back from the dead!!! I'm over the moon, fantastic service, all repaired in less than 24hrs!
Robin French
Extremely helpful. Went in with an iPhone that had been dropped, and the screen had gone black. Turned out to just be a loose connection, which was fixed for free; as opposed to insisting it needed a new screen. Thanks for being so honest guys!
Leon Halsey
The Chaps at the SWF branch were absolutely brilliant. My hard drive failed and I was faced with losing months of really important family pictures. Not only did they manage to get all my data onto a new hard drive without any loss, but they got rid of some malware, installed better anti virus, and cleaned up the laptop and repaired the shell as part of the service! Top class and very reasonably priced. Much Appreciated Guys!