Hestia Group: ‘The Belgian Market Leader for Managed Services to Date’

“As a knowledge company with a solid base, Hestia ensures consistency and absolute quality by supporting and/or completely managing the ICT infrastructure of its esteemed customers.”

While new technologies present powerful opportunities for enterprises, they also introduce challenges. The pace of change in IT is unprecedented. No longer can IT departments standardize on one or two computer models, a single operating system, and a short list of approved applications. The mobile devices and cloud-based technologies that have brought so much possibility have also introduced a hodgepodge of devices, platforms and apps for IT departments to manage and secure.

In light of the above-mentioned scenario, we’re thrilled to present Hestia Group – dedicated to offering an extensive range of managed services (for IT needs) that help clients realize their business transformation. The group consists of a network of expert companies that each support the customer in their domain of expertise. In relation to the customer’s request, one or more of these knowledge domains are addressed in order to arrive at an optimal solution for the customer.

Hestia Group is headquartered in Edegem, Belgium.

Q. Nicolas Geudens, Hestia Group Managing Partner, spoke exclusively to The Silicon Review. Below is an excerpt.

Can you brief us about the history of your company?

Hestia was founded in 2008 after incubating for two years within the Cronos holding (parent company). It’s one of the leading Managed Services specialists. The company’s focus lies in the support and management of the ICT infrastructure. Hestia was the first and only company in Belgium to receive accreditation in accordance with the MSPAlliance’s (MSPA) Managed Services Accreditation Program (MSAP). MSAP is the first program of its kind, specifically designed and created to provide business consumers of managed services the assurance that the service provider they hire meets or exceeds the highest principles of quality in areas such as financial stability, facilities, managed services practices and customer satisfaction. The domains validated by the MSAP program can be fully measured against the ISO 27001 certification.

By offering a portfolio of high-quality services and solutions, Hestia allows companies the opportunity to re-establish their core activities. By doing this, the company is able to build long-term relationships with customers and become a trusted managed service provider and business partner. Hestia is active in all sectors and serves small, medium as well as large enterprises and employs over 95 highly skilled engineers.

Q. There is nothing more important for a successful small business than a well-defined mission and vision statements. Can you explain your M&V statements in brief?

“In Greek mythology, Hestia was the virgin goddess, daughter of Cronos, and responsible for the fire on Mount Olympus. Since the fire in Greek households was never permitted to go out, Hestia was responsible for protecting the eternal flame”. As a knowledge company with a solid base, Hestia ensures consistency and absolute quality by supporting and/or completely managing the ICT infrastructure of its esteemed customers. The company wants to be recognized as a genuine knowledge organization with tried-and-tested services, primarily thanks to its motivated and engaged employees who really to make a difference in the market. The second meaning of Hestia in Greek mythology was the institution and fostering of new initiatives. The Hestia Group’s mission is no different – to launch and foster new initiatives.

Q. What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?

• Global ‘trade wars’ having an impact on our business and beyond the scope of our control
• “Brexit” and similar evolutions within Europe, our prime market at present
• and other developments on regional, national or international scale having an impact on our business and customers

How to manage this is difficult to say at present. As said these are developments with a direct or indirect impact on our customers and per definition on our business. We can, and will, stay vigilant as a company and a Group to stay abreast with the latest developments and we are ready to continuously adapt our business programmes accordingly.

Next to all that we ascertain there is/will be a fight for ‘talent’ in our business, which also might have an impact. But Hestia as part of the Cronos Group is recognized as a “tier 1” employer!

Q. What would you say was the single most influential factor in your business’ success?

The ‘most influential’ factor was most certainly, as described above, to cope with all the aspects of ‘growing pains’ and that is exactly where the strength of the Cronos Group comes in. Next to that is making sure, as a business leader, that your team wakes up in the morning, looks into their bathroom mirror and says: “another fine day to get ready and work for Hestia Group”…

Q. If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?

Never give up. When life gives you a curveball, knock it out of the park. The reward of seeing people grow beyond their own expectations is what drives me on a daily basis and motivates me continuously.

Q. What do you think is the most memorable moment in your career?

It’s the pride I feel each day working with my team of young professionals and the honor of getting the chance to guide them on their path.

Q. What are your future focus areas?

Fully concentrate on what we do right now, further grow the company and make sure we meet our customers’ expectations since they are our guarantee for success.

Nicolas Geudens: A Brief Background

Nicolas Geudens graduated with great distinction and obtained his master’s degree in commercial sciences and combined a specialization year ‘ICT Management’ with an extra specialization ‘Marketing’. The reason for this double specialization lies in the fact that there are not too many people who can bring IT in an understandable way. Combining these two specializations created an ideal mix. He started his career in various business development management positions and then founded Promad, a company to provide management consultancy services. Over a decade ago, he was the co-founder of Hestia, of which he is still the Managing Partner.

“Hestia was the first and only company in Belgium to receive accreditation in accordance with the MSPAlliance’s (MSPA) Managed Services Accreditation Program (MSAP).”