Bailey & Associates

Bailey & Associates provides fractional CIO and IT Director services exclusively for UK manufacturers. We deliver senior IT leadership on a retained basis — typically 2 to 8 days per month — giving small and mid-market manufacturers the strategic technology guidance they need without the cost of a full-time hire.

Our core expertise spans ERP selection and implementation oversight, IT-OT integration and Industry 4.0 readiness, cybersecurity governance for manufacturing environments, and vendor and technology management. We work with manufacturers turning over £5M–£100M, with 50–500 employees, helping them align technology investment with operational goals.

Led by David Bailey, a manufacturing IT leader with over 15 years of experience, we specialise in bridging the gap between shop floor operational technology (PLCs, SCADA, MES) and enterprise IT systems. Retainers start from £2,000/month — a fraction of the £120,000+ annual cost of a permanent IT Director.

Based in Chester, we serve manufacturers across the UK including the North West, Midlands, and nationally.