Rupert Bedell, Managing Director at Award-Winning Internet Hosting Business: Fasthosts

Tell us about Fasthosts? 

Fasthosts is one of the longest serving, award-winning internet hosting businesses, located in the heart of Gloucester. Founded in 1998, Fasthosts originated as an A-Level project and since then, has very quickly grown into the successful company it is today.

Our team is made up of talented, tech-driven individuals who prioritise great products and excellent customer service. I joined Fasthosts in late 2024 and I am excited to see how the company continues to grow. 

What do you think makes this company unique?

It can be difficult to stand out in the hosting sector, as many competitor products perform similar functions. However, there are three unique benefits that underpin the Fasthosts brand strategy:  

1. Price: We offer market-leading products at a significantly lower price point than the large players in the UK market. As such we’re an ideal option for early stage entrepreneurs and SMEs. 
2. Service: The rise of AI and chatbots in customer service is increasing, but while AI promises efficiency, it often has a negative impact on customer service. At Fasthosts, we prioritise outstanding customer service. We will always have 24/7 support agents available to speak to customers, creating lasting loyalty in ways automation simply can’t replicate. Proof of our success can be seen in our TrustPilot rating which has risen from 4.3 in 2022 to 4.7, while our Net Promoter Score is well above industry averages.
3. Sovereignty: Fasthosts is a UK company, with a UK datacentre and UK call centre. We’re obviously proud of our heritage, but data sovereignty has become much more important for customers, in light of the recent seismic changes in the geo-political landscape. We are seeing more UK businesses looking to move supply chains and data storage to the EU and UK, and being a UK operator in this market is now a unique selling point. 

What is your advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? 

My main advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to take a leap into the unknown. Real growth happens at the edge of your comfort zone. Jumping into the unknown doesn’t require you to know everything from day one. It’s about listening, learning and building confidence as you go. By admitting what you don’t know, you create opportunities to learn and grow. 

The world needs people who are willing to take risks, embrace challenges and bring fresh perspectives. Taking the leap, even when others advise against it, can lead to some of the most rewarding experiences of your career.

What most excites you about Fasthosts? 

Fasthosts fosters several core values that align with my own – collaboration, sustainability and staying true to your roots.

Fasthosts recently moved offices but stayed true to its Gloucestershire origins. The move brought the whole team together, supporting collaboration and seamless working that has meant we can continue to provide excellent experiences for our employees and customers. The move also supported the company’s commitment to sustainability, with energy efficiency implemented into the office’s design. The new office provides the perfect space to fit the future needs of our hi-tech company. 

This alignment in values is one of the many things that excites me about Fasthosts.

How has the company evolved over the last couple of years? 

It has been a very exciting, transformative few years for Fasthosts. In 2022, we opened our brand new, state-of-the-art data centre in Worcester. This isn’t just another facility; it’s a testament to our commitment to sustainable, high-performance infrastructure. Powered by 100% renewable energy and boasting the UK’s only Tier IV certification, we’re setting a new standard for security and reliability. 

In 2023, we celebrated 25 years of Fasthosts, dedicated to delivering the best in tech, performance and service. At the tail end of 2024, we moved into our new offices in The Forum. This enabled us to bring our entire company under one roof, further establishing our commitment to a collaborative culture and excellence in our customer service.

What can we hope to see from Fasthosts in the future? – 76

Fasthosts has grown considerably in the last few years, and we expect this trajectory to continue in the future. With customer growth averaging 6-7%, our goal is to achieve 10%. Integrating centralised teams with IONOS Group will further strengthen our ability to scale effectively. Crucially, we remain dedicated to our core values: providing outstanding customer service and staying true to our British roots from our home in Gloucester. This commitment will continue to drive our success.