By Adam Whitehouse, Founder, TMT First
As we reach the end of 2025, I’ve been reflecting on what has been another remarkable year for TMT First. From award wins – including the honour of receiving a prestigious King’s Award – to launching new services, winning new private and public sector contracts, and raising thousands for our charity of the year, Dougie Mac. It’s been another year filled with great achievements.
Looking ahead to 2026, TMT First’s 20th anniversary year, I’ve never felt more inspired by what our team has achieved and genuinely excited about what lies ahead.
Key Milestones of 2025
February – Marking A Year of Our Apprenticeship Programme
February marked a major milestone: one year since the inception of the Digital Device Repair Technician Apprenticeship at our Newcastle-under-Lyme headquarters.
Developed with partners including Samsung, IfATE (now Skills England), and local education providers, our apprenticeship is set to become a true gamechanger for the industry.
Over the last year, I’ve had the pleasure of watching our apprentices grow – not only into talented repair technicians but into confident individuals gaining real life skills. With over 71 million mobile phones in use in the UK, alongside other fast growing tech categories such as tablets, laptops, wearables, gaming consoles and drones, the demand for skilled repair technicians has never been greater, and we created this apprenticeship to help close that gap.
May – King’s Award Recognition
May brought one of the most significant moments of my career: TMT First received a King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation for our technological advancements in device repair.
We are one of only 197 organisations in the UK to receive this prestigious honour this year, and the only Staffordshire business to win in the innovation category.
Innovation is at the heart of everything we do, and this award stands as a testament to our vision: delivering smarter, more sustainable technology solutions while driving the circular economy forward.
June – Running for Dougie Mac
Throughout 2025, our team has continued to raise money for the incredible Dougie Mac Hospice through bake sales, seasonal events, sky dives and our annual Christmas Jumper Day.
In June, I ran 100km in a day to mark Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary – and to support this truly amazing and much-loved charity. I’m incredibly pleased that our team has raised well over £20,000 this year alone for Dougie Mac.
August – Becoming an ESPO Approved Supplier
In the summer, we were proud to become an ESPO Approved Supplier, giving public sector organisations across the UK access to our repair, graded device, and disposal services.
ESPO has been a trusted public sector partner for over 40 years, and joining their framework supports our mission to expand our impact across healthcare, education, housing, and more.
ISO 27001:2022 Certification
Another standout achievement this year was securing ISO 27001:2022, the internationally recognised standard for information security management.
This accreditation demonstrates our ongoing commitment to safeguarding customer data and delivering excellence. It builds on our existing certifications – ISO 9001(Quality), 14001 (Environmental), and 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety) – reinforcing the trust our partners place in us every day.
Connected Britain Shortlist
August also saw us shortlisted for the Digital Skills Award at the Connected Britain Awards for our work developing the national Digital Device Repair Technician Apprenticeship.
September – Midlands Climate Expo
- We were pleased to continue our annual headline sponsorship of the Midlands Climate Expo and Sustainability Conference at Alton Towers, joining more than 500 leaders from business, academia and the public sector.
- As Chair of the Staffordshire Business and Environment Network (SBEN), I had the privilege of speaking on a panel exploring the emerging role of AI in tackling climate change – a topic that will only grow in significance in the years ahead and something we are fully embracing at TMT First.
Exhibitions and Industry Engagement
We returned to exhibit at the Emergency Tech Show, alongside the Emergency Services Show at the NEC Birmingham – an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate how we help emergency services manage their tech sustainably and efficiently. It was also a great chance to build relationships and generate new business opportunities with emergency service contacts.
Expanding into IT Asset Disposition (ITAD)
This year we also unveiled a major expansion: the launch of our IT Asset Disposition department (ITAD).
While we’ve long specialised in mobile device repair and refurbishment, ITAD allows us to apply our expertise at scale focussing on laptops, PCs, and wider business IT equipment.
Extending device life is only half the story. Responsible IT disposition unlocks savings, strengthens security, and supports sustainability in a world of ever accelerating and growing tech demand.
Mobile Industry Awards: Best Repair Service
We were shortlisted in four categories at the 2025 Mobile Industry Awards, and we were thrilled to win Best Repair Service – adding to last year’s win for Sustainability Initiative of the Year, another achievement we were honoured to receive.
November/December – Celebrating Our People
Our year has finished on a high with our annual staff awards and Christmas party – which is always a highlight in the TMT calendar. It’s important to pause, reflect, and celebrate the incredible people who make TMT First what it is. Their dedication is the reason we continue to grow and innovate.
Looking Ahead to 2026 – Our 20th Anniversary Year
2026 will be a landmark year for TMT First as we celebrate an incredible 20 years’ trading under that title, and 25 years since The Mobile Trader shop was first established on 2nd January 2001.
To celebrate our 20th birthday – we have a full calendar of events planned (watch this space), – starting in January with the Lord-Lieutenant presenting our King’s Award at a special ceremony at TMT First, something we are all looking forward to.
Our priorities for 2026:
As technology races forward at a phenomenal pace, the question of what to do with devices that are no longer ‘current’ but far from useless becomes ever more pressing.
Our people
Investing in and nurturing our people through development, wellbeing, progression, and opportunity, not just skills alone.
Innovation and industry-leading technology
Investing in new tools, systems, and technologies that improve quality, efficiency, and insight.
Sustainable business practices
Investing in our systems, infrastructure, and work environment so the way we operate reflects our ethos of keeping technology alive for longer.
Expanding our product capabilities
Broadening the products we repair, refurbish, and resell to extend the life of more technology.
Growing our client base
Expanding relationships across commercial and public sector organisations that value repair, reuse, and responsible technology management.
TMT First will continue to lead the charge toward a more sustainable digital future.
I’d like to finish by saying the biggest thank you to the TMT First team. The care, effort, and commitment shown every day is what truly allows us to lead the way in sustainability. Thank you as well to our partners, suppliers, and customers for their continued support and collaboration throughout 2025.
All that leaves me to say is have a very happy New Year. Here’s to 2026.