35 | Q2 2022 Apr22483 Local Software Solutions Secure Success The pressures that local authorities are under can make decision making incredibly difficult. The team at Ascendant Solutions have made a name for themselves as able to support these organisations build on existing information through software solutions. In SME News’ Managing Director of the Year Awards, Darren Kelk was recognised as Software Solutions Director of the Year 2022. We take a closer look at his business to uncover some of the secrets of his tremendous success. Many organisations are only just discovering the power of what data really means. With the information available in the public domain, it’s possible to uncover a great deal about people, what they are thinking and what they might do. For local authorities, organisations with a great deal of data, finding ways of working through this information and leveraging for greater gain, is the key to securing new and equally impressive successes. Ascendant Solutions offers a way of building on and supplementing existing information in a way that works to prevent fraud, improve engagement and increase collection rates. Those local authorities that have turned to Ascendant Solutions have seen extraordinary results. Since implementing their ways of working, the firm has secured a 100% increase in customer engagement, 16% increase in collection and 98% of debt profiled as financially stable collected. At the heart of how Ascendant Solutions operates is the 26-year career of Darren Kelk. As MD of the company, he has been able to use his knowledge of private debt collection, leveraging data for the best possible results, lies at the heart of how the company works. Far from just an expert in debt collection, Darren has often delivered bespoke training sessions as well as speaking at National and Local IRRV and Housing Network Conferences, giving him a unique insight into the challenges facing local governments and beyond. This awareness of what the market demands has led to the incredible adaptability of the team’s impressive product. Instead of offering a standardised product, Ascendant Solutions provides the opportunity for tailored software solutions. This means that they can choose the options which provide the right paths for them to thrive. No two local authorities are the same, and each has a unique set of priorities. Thanks to the development of software from the Ascendant Solutions team, the incredible versatility of projects can finally be realised. One of the most highly regarded products offered by the team is GrantApproval, which has assisted local authorities the length and breadth of the country since 2020. The development of this product came as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with money stretched incredibly tightly for many across the country. This innovative software solution, designed specifically for local authorities that wanted to issue grants quickly and effectively, has proven to be an invaluable resource saving administrative time, preventing fraudulent applications and being able to send payments to approved grants easily. Needless to say, the scale and level of innovation from the team was a core reason behind the success of GrantApproval. The team were able to leverage their considerable knowledge of this sector to ensure that those who needed help were able to access it. When many see the world of local government as tied in red tape, this software has developed new ways of cutting through. The future of Ascendant Solutions is bright indeed, with the team pushing boldly forward into exciting new territory. They are aiming to explore new innovations which can benefit local councils, including the digitalisation of manual workflows. So many organisations are struggling to adapt to a world which has embraced digital solutions, but the team at Ascendant Solutions are committed to making things as straightforward as possible. With successes under their belt, it’s little wonder that the Ascendant Solutions team has been able to thrive. It’s a credit to the leadership of Darren Kelk that the business has been able to achieve the truly remarkable in unprecedented times. We cannot wait to see what he and his team do next. Company: Software Solutions Director of the Year 2022: Darren Kelk Name: Darren Kelk Email: darren.kelk@ascendantsol.co.uk Web Address: https://www.ascendantsol.co.uk/ Ascendant Solutions offers a way of building on and supplementing existing informatio n in a way that works to prevent fraud, improve engagement and increase collection rates.
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