contact support here
contact our client services team here
login here or
call +44 (0)114 321 0555
Established in 2000, ASK4 delivers connectivity and technology services to hundreds of thousands of users internationally. We work every day to understand our users’ needs, and to drive technical and service innovation to keep our partners ahead of the curve.
Specialist managed Internet services for multi-tenant buildings and businesses.
Reliable and scalable business IT solutions.
Tier 2, carrier-neutral and optimised for the Internet industry.
Jonathan Burrows, started ASK4 when he was 18 in 2000, after spending one year as an intern with IBM. His idea was to dramatically improve connectivity in multi-tenant buildings in a way that benefitted both the end user and the building operator.
Today, led by CEO Andrew Dutton, ASK4 delivers award-winning, specialist connectivity to hundreds of thousands of users internationally, owns and operates a Tier 2 carrier neutral Data Centre, and provides scalable IT support solutions to a client base operating in a diverse range of sectors.
The secret to ASK4’s success is simple – it is our commitment to delivering excellence with integrity.
Whether in Barcelona, Birmingham, Berlin, we set out to deliver the best possible service for every client. That might sound like a cliché, but aiming to deliver an exceptional customer experience underpins everything we do. That includes our 24/7/365 multilingual customer support team who take care of users in every country where we operate, and our home grown product development team who continually innovate and problem solve to keep ASK4 and its clients at the forefront of technical developments.
We care about what we do, and about getting it right for our customers.
ASK4 is born
Jonathan Burrows creates ASK4 Ltd to provide outstanding broadband to multi- tenant buildings.
Over 6,000 users
ASK4
Ltd merges
with Horizon
Telecommunications to provide services within the student accommodation
sector.
Over 12,000 users
ASK4 wins contracts with some of the largest student accommodation providers in the UK.
Over 20,000 users
ASK4 Business is created to provide services to business centres and acquires the assets of W2 Networking.
ASK4 begins to operate its own Tier 2, carrier neutral Data Centre.
Over 90,000 users
Over 100,000 users
In May 2014 Darwin Private Equity completes the buy-out refinancing of the ASK4 group.
ASK4 goes live at first European sites in Madrid in March 2015.
ASK4 wins the Internet Service Providers Award for Best Consumer Customer Service.
In 2016 ASK4 launches 4Network
– a pioneering new service for multi-tenant buildings.
Over 160,000 users
4Network wins Innovation of the Year at the Student Accommodation awards.
ASK4 operates in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Poland.
ASK4 announces a content partnership with BT Sport.
Over 180,000 users
In February 2018 Bowmark Capital backs the buy-out and refinancing of the ASK4 group.
Over 215,000 users
In February 2019 ASK4 acquires Birchenall Howden to merge with ASK4 Business and form ASK4 Solutions
Over 230,000
users
ASK4 operates in Austria and the Netherlands
ASK4 announces partnership with Stratis IoT
Over 255,000 users
ASK4 operates in France and Italy
Founder Jonathan Burrows takes up a role as a non-executive board member and welcomes Andrew Dutton as new Group CEO
ASK4 announces partnership with Utopi and Spike Global
Our Executive Directors have over 90 years collective experience within the technology sector. Meet them here.
John is a well respected and successful serial Chairman of both Private Equity and Public Companies. He has chaired over 20 technology companies spanning the field, from software to unified communications, to the internet of things (IOT). He has over 50 years’ experience of expansion into global markets, having lived and worked in the USA, Far East and Europe, and successfully built businesses as a CEO. His primary responsibility is advising on the company’s long term growth strategies.
Andrew became ASK4 CEO in October 2021 with the aim of accelerating growth, diversifying sectors and services, and continuing the Group's expansion overseas. With over 20 years working in executive leadership roles across multiple different sectors, Andrew has experience in internationalising and scaling business through acquisition and organic growth. Andrew has also successfully managed business on behalf of private equity and founder owned businesses, returning real shareholder value.
Richard has over 20 years' experience in finance leadership roles, predominantly within IT services and software markets, both private equity backed and listed companies ranging from £10m to £800m turnover. Richard is responsible for leading Finance, facilitating decision making, and ensuring fit-for-purpose accounting and financial reporting systems are in place to support the provision of insightful management information to all stakeholders.
Having worked within IT and telecoms for over 18 years, Jon has considerable technical expertise alongside clear commercial, legal and operational understanding. With extensive experience in the ISP sector, Jon’s role largely focuses on the Group's international expansion, adapting and delivering the ASK4 experience in different cultures and contexts.
Rob has over 20 years’ experience in sales, including 13 years as a Director with KPMG, developing and building their market facing capability in different parts of the UK. He has worked with businesses at all stages of their development from early stage fast growing technology companies through to major international entities operating in multiple territories. Rob’s focus is delivering the overall sales strategy for the Group, supporting ASK4’s strategic objectives.
Simon has worked in the Internet sector for almost 20 years in a variety of management and operational roles. As Chief Operating Officer at ASK4, Simon oversees all operations, including support, customer and client services, provisioning, technology and business support. Simon also provides support to the Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Dutton, translating strategic plans into operational objectives.
In February 2018, ASK4 completed its second buyout and refinancing with a deal backed by Bowmark Capital, a mid- market private equity firm with extensive experience of investing in growth companies.
Bowmark acquired its interest from ASK4’s previous institutional investor, Darwin Private Equity, and has invested alongside the current management team in support of the company’s continued international expansion. The investment will also help to accelerate the roll-out of new products and services, as well as the recruitment and training of additional staff, which will underpin the continued delivery of ASK4’s first class customer service.
Bowmark partner Stephen Delaney said:
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to support the ASK4 team as they build on the impressive growth they have achieved to date.”
ASK4 founder, Jonathan Burrows commented:
“Our growth has been built on delivering exceptional customer service and investing in strong long-term partnerships. With Bowmark’s support, we are well-positioned to continue to grow significantly in the UK and expand further into Europe, through both organic growth and targeted M&A.”
The ASK4 Group is committed to adhering to the key pillars of Corporate Social Responsibility. The scope of our Corporate Social Responsibility undertakings includes:
ASK4 is committed to ensuring that all our people are afforded equal opportunities, and that their diversity and difference is respected and celebrated. We seek to demonstrate fairness and consideration in our approach and processes when it comes to making decisions that impact both the business and our colleagues. We foster an environment that nurtures talent and promotes opportunities for every employee.
ASK4 believes that our supply chain partners are an extension of our own business, and we aim to develop relationships based on shared trust and mutual social and ethical responsibility.
ASK4 is committed to supporting and protecting human rights. We promote equal opportunity and abide by all legislative requirements in each territory where we operate. We ensure colleagues receive fair remuneration and working conditions are suitable, safe and comfortable. ASK4’s commitment to protecting human rights does not begin and end at our doorstep. Our working practices, specific to on-boarding and partnering with external companies, are designed to ensure that our supply chain upholds our beliefs and values.
ASK4 continues to support several charitable causes. These charities are selected because the work they do has benefited ASK4 colleagues or more widely benefits our local community. We regularly review the charities we work with and are always willing to work with new charities if the work they do is in line with causes or efforts supported by the ASK4 Group.
ASK4 takes its duties and obligations to the environment and our community extremely seriously. Our Environmental Services Framework identifies key areas where we are making a conscious shift towards ways of working that keep our environmental impact neutral or as near neutral as possible. This policy applies to all areas of the ASK4 Group including any subsidiary companies. The full policy can be viewed here.
The ASK4 Group is a diverse, lively, and inclusive place to work. As a group, we care deeply about our clients and end-users and seek to deliver the best possible service, tailored exactly for them.
As each area of the business grows, we need the right people who can help us to develop and succeed. ASK4 has a wide variety of roles across three different businesses, so take a look at our current vacancies to see if there’s a role for you.
People all over the world rely on the Internet to work, to learn, to be entertained, to stay connected to friends and family, and to share ideas. As the way we live and work changes, the Internet can bring us closer together and enhance our lives.
We work hard to understand the needs of the residents in the buildings we serve, alongside the operational objectives of the developers and owners of the buildings themselves.
Our Connected Living series explores the connectivity habits, attitudes and expectations of today’s residents, and the residents of the future.
The popularity of video games increased dramatically during the pandemic, particularly among the student cohort. Gaming for Good explores the reasons why students have turned to gaming during lockdown.
>Read the report
The students of 2022 video series explores the attitudes of prospective students amidst the covid-19 pandemic.
>Watch the video series
Keeping in mind the unique challenges experienced by the PBSA sector, the Building for Tomorrow, Today report reviews evidence around the costs and benefits of sustainable or ‘green’ buildings.
>Read the report
This report explores how students feel about sharing their data and the resulting opportunities and considerations for student accommodation providers.
>Read the report
This paper explores how technology, that is smartphones and other Internet connected devices, services or apps, can impact positively or negatively on student loneliness.
>Read the report
The results of our survey questioning 3,000 European teenagers (1,000 in the UK, Germany and Spain) provide a fascinating insight into the future connectivity demands of the students of 2020.
>Read the reportASK4 connects hundreds of thousands of users internationally. Take a look at the ASK4 territories below.
We always welcome invitations to explore new territories and developments. If you’d like to discuss your project, please
get in touch.
CURRENTLY OPERATING | DEVELOPMENT STAGES
ASK4 are Platinum sponsors of the upcoming Global Student Living Live event, Net-Zero Student Living, alongside our IoT partners Utopi.
read more →Jonny Wootten of Spike Global joins the ASK4 team to discuss the benefits of providing an app for your residents, looking at a range of factors from creating revenue streams to hitting ESG targets.
read more →Purpose built student accommodation has never been as desirable, convenient, and stylish as it is right now, and providers are going above and beyond in their efforts to make their residents feel as comfortable as possible.
read more →ESG is high on the agenda of many multi-tenant building owners, with technology able to play a key role in helping to meet targets.
read more →
