Episode 10: David Lees

In this episode of Identity First, Stephanie Fleet is joined by David Lees from Crest IT for a thoughtful conversation about trust, pressure and the invisible systems that quietly hold organisations together Moving beyond the stereotypes of hardware and helpdesks, David shares what good IT really means in sectors such as case management, healthcare and legal services. From cybersecurity and compliance to disaster recovery and AI adoption, Crest’s role is less about technology for its own sake and more about ensuring that systems work reliably in the background—freeing professionals to focus on the people they support. David reflects on the emotional weight behind technical failures, the panic that can arise when systems go down, and the importance of calm communication and proactive planning. He explains how building trust takes time, especially for organisations that may have had difficult experiences with previous providers. Rather than overwhelming clients with jargon or constant change, Crest prioritises steady implementation, transparency and partnership. The conversation also explores the future of AI and automation—not as job replacements, but as tools to remove repetitive tasks and create space for more personalised, human-centred work. Ultimately, this episode asks a powerful question: if your systems disappeared tomorrow, where would the real pressure points lie—and what would reliable technology free you to focus on instead?