About us

Our values

Every DCSL GuideSmiths employee learns our values from their first day. We operate through these values that are at the centre of our culture of successful outcomes and focus on delivery. Our values are:

• DDeliver quality in a timely manner

  We not only deliver great quality software, but we strive to deliver it in the timescales that align with your expectations. It is as important to us as it is to you that software is delivered properly, on time and on budget.

• CCollaboration and pragmatism are at our core

  We solve complex problems quickly and efficiently by collaborating and sharing knowledge in our 250+ team. We share our successes and reflect & learn lessons as a team. And we do this in a pragmatic way to ensure we deliver quality in a timely fashion.

• SShip consistently and regularly

  The Agile Manifesto states that software teams should “deliver working software frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale.” A key value of DCSL GuideSmiths is to follow Agile principles in every aspect of our working lives.

• LLive in our customers’ shoes

  When a project is delivered successfully, we’ll share that success and take pride in our work. But if there are problems or misunderstandings, we’ll work tirelessly to resolve any issues and see things from your perspective.

• GGiving our very best with fun and pride

  Everybody in the DCSL GuideSmiths team knows that they must always be going the extra mile for our clients, but at the same this is only possible if we enjoy what we are doing. Not only do we have fun whilst making our clients’ dreams come to reality, we are really proud of what we achieve on a day to day basis, too.

• SStay open, honest and transparent

  We’ll be honest with you about the project, requirements, costs and timescales. We’ll keep you updated every step of the way, and we work transparently so that you can see what we’re doing without anything being hidden. We’re honest with one another in the company just as we are with our client.

Our history

DCSL GuideSmiths started its life in 1994 as Direct Communications Software Limited, a “one stop shop” for business computing, including IT services, website design and software development.

In 1997, current CEO, Nick Thompson, at the time a 17-year-old computer studies student, joined the business as an office junior, initially working on Saturdays whilst still attending college full time. Deciding to make a career of it, Nick learned on the job and became an expert software developer.

By 2003, Nick was keen to make a success of the business and together with DCSL’s original founders, Andrew Millington & Chris Crawshay, formed a subsidiary company – DCSL Software Ltd. Starting with just two employees, the business grew to 12 people over a 10 year period and established itself as a highly capable software house specialising in Microsoft technologies.

In 2013, Nick took full ownership of the business through a management buyout, where he quickly employed a large team of developers and managers to meet the growing demand for software development. By 2020, the company had grown to 130 team members, winning multiple awards along the journey and was ready for the next stage in its growth.

Meanwhile, in 2014, GuideSmiths was founded by Glenn O’Grady. Attracting blue-chip clients from across the UK and Europe, the company grew rapidly year on year, and in 2017 a Spanish office was set up and merged into the group. By 2020, it had grown to over 120 employees with a global client base.

Having secured a multi-million pound investment from Queen’s Park Equity, in 2021, DCSL Software completed its first acquisition and merged with GuideSmiths to become DCSL GuideSmiths, where the group now has over 260 employees in multiple countries across Europe, and is seen as one of the UK’s leading software development firms.

Our approach to bespoke software

We take a unique approach by fusing traditional and new methods to develop quality software at speed, while retaining our personal touch and fastidious attitude to planning. Find out more about how we deliver world-class software.

We have built up considerable expertise in a variety of sectors: public and private, consumer and business focused and not-for-profit. We have helped businesses ranging from start ups & ventures, small owner-managed companies through to large public organisations.

We have development centres in Farnborough (Hampshire), Central London, Madrid and Bucharest.

Come and visit us

We love to meet prospective or existing customers.  Come and visit our Farnborough or London offices where you can meet the team who analyse, visualise, create and test your software, as well as demonstrating some of our exciting and unique products. Contact us today so we can arrange to meet you and explore your software requirements.