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WhatMSP
Original research

The State of UK MSPs

What 371 UK managed service providers actually look like — Companies House coverage, security certifications and where they cluster. Independent data from the WhatMSP register.

371 providers analysed · updated June 2026

81%
verified at Companies House
300 of 371
40%
evidence Cyber Essentials
the UK security baseline
11%
evidence ISO 27001
the information-security gold standard
43%
hold a recognised credential
57% show none at all
11%
evidence Cyber Essentials Plus
the independently-audited tier
120
UK locations covered
nationwide register

What the numbers say

Of the 371 UK managed service providers on the WhatMSP register, 81% could be matched to an active Companies House record — the rest trade under brand names or as sole traders. On security, 40% publicly evidence Cyber Essentials and 11% ISO 27001. Strikingly, 57% show no recognised security or quality credential at all — the single clearest way for a buyer to narrow the field.

Only 11% hold Cyber Essentials Plus, the independently-audited tier — so even among the certified, the hands-on-tested minority is small. The register spans 120 UK towns and cities; below, where providers cluster.

Where UK MSPs cluster

South East
53
South West
50
Greater London
45
North West
36
West Midlands
32
East Midlands
31
Methodology

Figures are drawn from public sources — Companies House records and the credentials each provider publishes — for the 371 UK MSPs currently on the WhatMSP register. Credential figures reflect what providers publicly evidence; WhatMSP independently verifies these at source during vetting, so a provider’s verified profile is the authoritative record. Updated June 2026. Cite as “WhatMSP, The State of UK MSPs 2026”.

Don’t take credentials on trust

Every provider on the register is independently scored out of 50, with certifications verified at source. Free for buyers — ranking is never for sale.