An ambitious Rugby automation start-up is busting the myth around AI taking jobs away by using the technology to unlock growth in small businesses following support from a fully funded business support service.
Data Plumbers, founded in 2024 by business partners Connor O’Brien and James Fewz, is helping SMEs and larger organisations streamline their operations and hire new staff by making their existing systems work smarter rather than adding layers of new technology.
After a year of strategic support from Business Ready, a fully funded business support programme run by the University of Warwick Science Park and funded by Warwickshire County Council, the firm says it is now in a strong position to scale further, deepen its partnerships and create new jobs.
Data Plumbers was launched after Connor and James identified a common frustration among growing businesses. As revenues increased, operational systems often failed to keep pace. Manual reporting, disconnected platforms and spreadsheet-heavy workflows were creating unnecessary friction and slowing progress.
Rather than introducing more software into already complex environments, the company works closely with leadership teams to identify bottlenecks and remove inefficiencies, giving more opportunities for growth.
Connor said: “We kept seeing businesses that were doing well on the surface but struggled to scale and hire because of their internal systems being inflexible. They were layering tool upon tool without fixing the core issues. We founded Data Plumbers to solve that properly.
“Our belief is simple: simplicity scales, complexity fails. If you get the foundations right and make your current systems work better together, growth becomes far more straight-forward.”
As demand for Data Plumbers’ services began to rise, Connor was referred to Business Ready by one of his clients and was introduced to business support advisor Mark Wisniewski. Over the past year, Mark has worked closely with the founders to sharpen their strategic direction and accelerate growth.
Through the programme, Data Plumbers has expanded its professional network and secured introductions to prospective clients, several of which have been converted into paid projects. The relationship has also helped the company refine its long-term positioning as a strategic growth partner for scaling organisations.
Now, Data Plumbers is aiming to expand its workforce and improve its own speed and efficiency to reach new heights.
Connor added: “Working with Mark has been brilliant for us. He has challenged our thinking, opened doors we simply would not have accessed on our own, and helped us build credibility within the local business community.
“The introductions he facilitated have directly led to client work. That momentum has given us the confidence to plan ahead, invest in the business and start preparing to grow the team.”
Mark Wisniewski, Business Support Advisor at Business Ready, said: “Connor and James are exactly the type of founders we want to support through Business Ready. They have a rare ability to translate complex operational problems into practical solutions that businesses can implement quickly.
“Over the past year we’ve worked closely with them to refine their commercial strategy, introduce them to other businesses in our network and help them build visibility.
“Several of those introductions have already turned into paying clients, and they also delivered a fantastic workshop for our wider client community which showcased the value of their automation approach.
“It’s hugely rewarding to see them now reaching the stage where they are preparing to grow their team, and using AI solutions to help SMEs hire staff rather than replace them.”
Mark Ryder, Executive Director for Communities at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The dedicated support from Business Ready has helped Connor and James at Data Plumbers to develop their strategy and grow their business. Through the programme Data Plumbers have benefitted from networking opportunities which have also turned into new customers for the business, helping them towards their business goals and prepare to grow their team.
“This tailored support from Business Ready provides businesses with tools and advice to set out their strategic direction and how it will be achieved, helping businesses to develop and take the next steps in their growth.”
Business Ready – High Growth and Innovation Business Support Programme forms part of Warwickshire County Council’s Business Growth Warwickshire. It is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Warwickshire County Council. Responsibility for the planning and delivery of UKSPF was part of the Level 2 Devolution Deal secured by Warwickshire County Council in 2024. Warwickshire’s allocation of UKSPF is supporting a package of communities & place, business support, and people & skills activities in 2025/26.
