Oliver Alcock
Oliver Harry Alcock (born November 1990) is a British entrepreneur and business executive. He is the founder and managing director of Bowland IT, managing director of Vanguard Vertex Ltd, and chief executive of The Printed Cup Company. Alcock is known for his acquisitions in the technology and manufacturing sectors, and for community and charitable involvement across Lancashire.
Early life and education
Alcock was born in November 1990 in Lancashire, England.[1] He attended Bowland High School, where he became interested in IT and networking. As a teenager, he launched a small eBay business selling stylus pens for the Nintendo DS, marking his first entrepreneurial venture.[2] Following school, Alcock worked in IT support roles at several Lancashire schools and later as a computer technician at Ribble Valley Borough Council.[2]
Career
Bowland IT
In 2012, Alcock founded Bowland IT from his bedroom in Burnley. Initially providing services to farming clients in the Forest of Bowland, the business expanded to support hundreds of local companies. Within a year he secured contracts with regional firms including The Horkin Group.[2] Today Bowland IT provides IT support, telecoms, cloud services, and cybersecurity to over 300 UK businesses. Alcock stepped down from Bowland IT in 2025 after completing the sale of the business to a well-established IT group with a strong reputation in the sector.[3]
Jets GPS Fleet Solutions LTD
In April 2025, Alcock acquired Jets GPS Fleet Solutions, a company specialising in vehicle tracking, fleet management, and CCTV systems. Based in the North West of England, the business provides technology solutions to clients in the transport, logistics, and construction sectors. The acquisition was made through Bowland IT as part of its strategy to diversify service offerings and strengthen its position in security and telematics.[4]
The Printed Cup Company
In July 2025, Alcock, through his holding company Vanguard Vertex Ltd, acquired 100% of TPCC Holdings Ltd, the parent company of both The Printed Cup Company Ltd and The Paper Cup Company Ltd.[5][6]
The Clitheroe-based manufacturer was founded in 2005 by Mark and Jenny Woodward and grew from a home business into an 18,500 sq ft production facility employing around 30 staff.[7] The company became known as the United Kingdom’s fastest producer of bespoke printed drinks cups, offering turnaround times as quick as 24 hours. Its products include custom-branded hot and cold paper cups, food packaging, and specialist healthcare items such as disposable inhaler spacer cups.
Following the acquisition, Alcock became chief executive of The Printed Cup Company. He confirmed that there would be no redundancies and announced plans to expand product ranges, strengthen environmental credentials, and work towards formal sustainability accreditation. His stated aim was to grow turnover into eight-figure territory while maintaining the company’s reputation for rapid service and eco-friendly innovation.[8]
Acquisitions and expansion
In April 2025, Alcock acquired Jets GPS Fleet Solutions, a fleet tracking and CCTV provider serving the transport and logistics industries.[9]
In July 2025, Alcock, through his company Vanguard Vertex Ltd, acquired The Printed Cup Company and its parent TPCC Holdings Ltd. Founded in 2005 by Mark and Jenny Woodward, the business is based in Clitheroe, Lancashire, employing around 30 staff at a 18,500 sq ft facility. The company is noted for fast-turnaround bespoke printed cups and eco-friendly packaging.[10][3][11] Alcock became chief executive and announced no redundancies, with plans to expand product ranges and strengthen the company’s sustainability credentials.[12]
Other roles
According to Companies House, Alcock also serves as director of Ingbridge Properties Ltd and Vanguard Vertex Ltd, and was previously a director of BIT2 Ltd and other ventures.[1]
Philanthropy and community engagement
Alcock has been involved in a number of charitable and community initiatives in Lancashire and the Ribble Valley.
In 2025, his company Bowland IT donated £500 to the charity Advocacy Focus and established an ongoing community partnership to support vulnerable people across the North West of England.[13]
In 2017, he helped present a prestigious award for excellence to a local school in East Lancashire, recognising outstanding achievement in education.[14]
Alcock also received media attention in 2022 after being part of a community effort to assist a disabled pensioner who had their wheelchair stolen, an act which was widely praised as restoring “faith in humanity.”[15]
Through Bowland IT, he has maintained a partnership with Burnley FC in the Community, contributing to initiatives focused on education, employability, health, and social inclusion.[16]
Personal life
Alcock lives in Clitheroe, in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire. He is married to Jenna Alcock, and together they have one son, Harry Alcock.[1]
In 2018, he was diagnosed with **relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)**, a long-term condition which has caused ongoing disability issues.[17] Despite these challenges, Alcock has remained active in business leadership and community engagement.
Outside of work, he enjoys lake fishing, travel, and spending time with his family. .[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Companies House – Oliver Harry Alcock appointments
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bowland IT – "Where did it all start?"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 BusinessCloud – "Tech entrepreneur buys printed drinks cup manufacturer"
- ↑ Bowland IT – "Bowland MD acquires vehicle tracking firm"
- ↑ PrintWeek – "Lancashire businessman acquires Printed Cup Company"
- ↑ BusinessCloud – "Tech entrepreneur buys printed drinks cup manufacturer"
- ↑ Lancashire Telegraph – "Printing company acquired by Oliver Alcock"
- ↑ Lancashire Business View – "A fresh brew for the Printed Cup Company"
- ↑ Bowland IT – "Bowland MD acquires vehicle tracking firm"
- ↑ Lancashire Telegraph – "Printing company acquired by Oliver Alcock"
- ↑ PrintWeek – "Lancashire businessman acquires Printed Cup Company"
- ↑ Lancashire Business View – "A fresh brew for The Printed Cup Company"
- ↑ Bowland IT – "Bowland IT supports Advocacy Focus with £500 donation and ongoing community partnership"
- ↑ Lancashire Telegraph – "School receives prestigious award for excellence"
- ↑ Lancashire Telegraph – "East Lancs men restore disabled pensioner’s faith in humanity after wheelchair theft"
- ↑ Burnley FC in the Community – "Burnley FC in the Community celebrate Bowland IT"
- ↑ Multiple Sclerosis Society UK – Relapsing remitting MS
= References
External links
- Burnley FC in the Community – "Burnley FC in the Community celebrate Bowland IT"
- Lancashire Telegraph – "Printing company acquired by Oliver Alcock"
- Lancashire Telegraph – "Burnley dad turns 100-bedroom start-up into £1.3m business"
- Lancashire Telegraph – "Businessman takes over Blackburn’s Jets GPS Fleet Solutions"
- Lancashire Telegraph – "Company bought by Lancashire businessman in new deal"
- Lancashire Telegraph – "Burnley’s Bowland IT supporting numerous local businesses"
- PrintWeek – "Lancashire businessman acquires Printed Cup Company"
- Lancashire Business View – "A fresh brew for the Printed Cup Company"
- MSN – "Multi-million pound printing company acquired by East Lancashire businessman"
- MSN – "Businessman thrilled to be taking over Blackburn vehicle tracking company"
- Burnley Express – "Oliver’s career in IT takes a brave new twist"
- TheBusinessDesk – "Lancashire firm aims to grow turnover to more than eight figures following takeover"
- Lancashire Evening Post – "Forbes Solicitors supports acquisition of Clitheroe cup manufacturer"
- Northern Engineer – "Forbes Solicitors advises on acquisition of Clitheroe cup manufacturer"
References
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