5 minute read
36 YEARS OF TRUST AND RESILIENCE: the Marston family legacy of IT success
BY SHARI HALL
When you meet Ross Marston, founder of Ramtech, a managed IT services provider, and Business Intelligence Security, a cybersecurity consultancy, it quickly becomes apparent that his business is much more than a technical operation. For Ross, it’s been a 36-year journey built on trust, relationships and most importantly, famil
Ross and his wife, Robyn, have grown businesses together on the Sunshine Coast with their daughters, Ashleigh, Jessica and Ruth, playing essential roles in their ongoing success. “Every team member, whether a relative or not, is part of our Ramtech family. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have such incredible staff and we are proud to continue growing together,” Ross explains.
At the heart of Ramtech is a set of values that go beyond IT services. These values shape how the business operates, builds relationships and serves clients.
FROM SURVEYING TO PROGRAMMING
Ramtech’s origins are humble. “I used to be a surveyor,” Ross recalls.
“I started writing programs to make life easier for surveyors and engineers and over time that work led to the need for more IT services. Eventually, it evolved into Ramtech.”
The name ‘Ramtech’ may seem simple—derived from Ross’s initials—but it has become synonymous with trust, quality, and innovation in IT services over the past three decades. Ross has watched the IT landscape change dramatically, from basic networking to the increasingly complex world of cybersecurity. With Business Intelligence Security, the cybersecurity arm of Ramtech, Ross and his team now help businesses improve efficiency and build resilience against attacks.
THE HEART OF A FAMILY BUSINESS
While IT services are at the core of Ramtech’s offerings, the company’s family dynamic sets it apart. Each member of the Marston family— and the extended Ramtech team—plays a distinct role in keeping the business running smoothly.
“Having defined roles is key to avoiding overlap and stepping on each other’s toes,” Ross says. “Robyn has been managing the accounts for years, and Jessica is now stepping into that role. Ashleigh manages client relationships. Even though Ruth isn’t working directly with us right now, her support is always there.”
Working with family can be both rewarding and challenging, Ross admits. “Most of the time, it’s fantastic, but sometimes we need to set boundaries—like ‘no more business talk at dinner.’ But sometimes we need to work through things together first so we can enjoy our time as a family.”
For Ross, the business is about more than profits. “It’s about creating something that benefits everyone involved—family, staff, and clients. We hire based on character, not just technical skills. We want people who share our values and treat clients how they would want to be treated.”
THE POWER OF LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS
Ross knows trust is crucial in the IT industry, especially when businesses hand over their entire infrastructure to an external provider. “Taking on an IT services provider requires a lot of trust,” he says. “Clients trust us with their business’s backbone— their IT systems—and that’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.”
Ross likens the relationship between Ramtech and its clients to a marriage. “It’s about more than what benefits one person. Both parties need to work together for the relationship to thrive. If we were only thinking about how we could profit, we wouldn’t have lasted 36 years.” Many of Ramtech’s clients have been with them for decades, and new clients frequently come through word-of-mouth referrals. “We’re not just selling IT services; we’re building long-term partnerships, almost like an extended family where we grow and succeed together,” Ross explains.
JUST LIKE IN A MARRIAGE, IT’S ABOUT MORE THAN WHAT BENEFITS ONE PERSON. BOTH PARTIES NEED TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE RELATIONSHIP TO THRIVE. IF WE WERE ONLY THINKING ABOUT HOW WE COULD PROFIT, WE WOULDN’T HAVE LASTED 36 YEARS.
ROSS MARSTON
BUILDING RESILIENCE AGAINST CYBERATTACKS
In today’s increasingly digital world, cybersecurity is more important than ever. Ross has seen the damage that cyberattacks can inflict on businesses firsthand. “We’ve been called in to help when things have gone horribly wrong, and it’s incredibly stressful for everyone involved,” he shares.
However, for Ross and his team, the focus is not just on security but also on resilience. “You can’t make a business one hundred per cent secure—no one can. But we can ensure that if something happens, the business can bounce back quickly with minimal disruption.”
Ross believes that educating clients about potential risks and fostering open communication are just as important as the technology itself. “The best outcome for us is when we don’t hear from our clients— not because we don’t want to, but because everything is running smoothly. That’s when we know we’ve done our job.”
A LEGACY BEYOND THE BUSINESS
As Ross reflects on the future, he isn’t fixated on his daughters taking over the business. “It’s not about keeping the business going for the sake of it,” he says. “What’s most important to me is that my daughters build their families and strong, meaningful relationships. Whether they continue with Ramtech or follow their own paths is entirely up to them.”
For Ross, the legacy of Ramtech isn’t just about IT services—it’s about the values that have guided him throughout his career: trust, resilience, and family. “We’ve built something that lasts, not just in business but in relationships. That’s what I’m most proud of.”
As Ramtech continues to grow, the foundation Ross and Robyn have built with their family and team ensures that the company will remain strong for years.
“At the end of the day, business is about people. The computers and technology are just tools,” Ross says with a smile. “It’s the relationships that truly matter.”
With those principles in place, it’s clear that Ramtech and the Marston family are built to last.
