That someone was right. They usually are — they have been sending people my way for over two decades.
I have been inside the Apple ecosystem since 1996, when I joined Apple's own UK telephone support team. Not as a hobby. Not as a side career. As the thing I do — completely, relentlessly, and with an obsessive standard for getting it right. I founded companies from scratch, built a client base that has largely never left, and made myself indispensable to some of the most demanding people in London. If you want to know whether I am the right person for the role — keep reading. This is the short version. The long version involves a phone call.
"Miguel embraced the Macintosh early on so has lived and worked through problem solving of every iteration. As a former Director of Apple UK — I can highly recommend him." — Sonja Garsvo, Former Director, Apple UK
This is not a story about someone who discovered Apple at a university careers fair. I joined Apple's UK telephone support team in 1996 — when most people were still arguing about whether Macs were viable — and I never looked back. Every year since has been a deeper immersion: new hardware, new operating systems, new security threats, new client expectations, new problems to solve before the client even knew they had one.
I relocated to Sweden, where I transformed the way DD Data Distribution AB operated — changing their methodology, improving efficiency, and helping them reach a significantly higher level of profitability. Back in London, I completely revolutionised AGC, a Central London Apple Dealer — overhauling their support, dramatically improving efficiency, and substantially raising their reputation and revenue. I was then appointed IT Manager at Robert Barnes Architects, managing 20-plus terminals across London and Paris, before four of those clients followed me when I went out on my own.
In 2003, I founded mafiaBusiness — London's dedicated Apple Mac support specialist. In 2012, I extended that philosophy into Private Hosting Ltd — encrypted email hosting built on the conviction that your communications are yours alone. Both companies continue to operate and serve their clients today.
The entrepreneurial range extends well beyond technology. In 2017 I co-founded Sucrose Imports Ltd — importing a non-harmful natural sweetener from Spain — and Simplicity Blackcard Ltd, a bespoke concierge business catering to VVIPs worldwide. In 2022 I took on concurrent senior leadership roles at Visual Talent (Wonderland Magazine) as Head of Digital and at D-Fly Group as Head of IT — simultaneously, whilst both companies continued running without interruption.
I am not looking for my next role because things went wrong. I am looking because I have spent 28 years building things that last, and I am ready to bring that record to something bigger.
Apple Mac Support Engineer — Apple Computer UK
Joined Apple's own UK support team — direct, factory-level support for British customers. The foundation of everything that follows, built at the source of the ecosystem itself.
Apple Mac IT Consultant — DD Data Distribution AB, Sweden
Relocated to Sweden and transformed the way DD Data Distribution operated. Changed their working methodology, improved efficiency, and helped them make considerably more money. Two years of pioneering Apple consultancy in a market that had not yet caught up with what was possible.
Apple Mac IT Consultant — AGC, London
Brought in to completely revolutionise a Central London Apple Dealer. Overhauled their support model, dramatically improved efficiency, increased profitability, and substantially raised their standing in the market. Left it in a fundamentally different condition from the one I found it in.
IT Manager — Robert Barnes Architects, London
Appointed IT Manager at Robert Barnes Architects — managing 20-plus terminals, a Paris sister office, and an infrastructure supporting 25 architects in London and 7 in Paris. Kept it all running, continuously, without failure. Four of those clients became the founding clients of mafiaBusiness two years later.
Managing Director — mafiaBusiness Ltd (founded)
Founded London's dedicated Apple Mac support specialist at a time when competitors considered the concept eccentric. They no longer exist. mafiaBusiness does — with a client base built entirely on word of mouth and relationships stretching back to the very first day. Over twenty years of unbroken Apple expertise, delivered personally, without corporate layers or support tickets.
Managing Director — Private Hosting Ltd (founded)
Incorporated Private Hosting Ltd: professionally managed, fully encrypted email hosting — built on the conviction that your communications belong to you alone. SSL on every connection. Encryption at rest on every mailbox. No scanning, no profiling, no compromise. Founded from within mafiaBusiness and grown entirely through word of mouth. Client retention has been exceptionally strong throughout its existence.
Managing Director — Sucrose Imports Ltd
Co-founded Sucrose Imports Ltd to import Sucralin — a non-harmful, natural sweetener — from Spain into the UK market. A commercial venture demonstrating that the entrepreneurial instinct extends well beyond the technology sector.
Managing Director — Simplicity Blackcard Ltd
Co-founded Simplicity Blackcard — a bespoke concierge company with two partners, designed to serve VVIPs around the world with the highest tier of personalised service. Held alongside the running of mafiaBusiness and Private Hosting Ltd.
Head of Digital — Visual Talent (Wonderland Magazine)
Appointed Head of Digital at Visual Talent — the creative agency behind Wonderland Magazine — leading digital strategy and implementation across the organisation. Held concurrently with the role below and the continued operation of both companies.
Head of IT — D-Fly Group Ltd
Appointed Head of IT at D-Fly Group — an electric scooter company — coordinating all technology decisions: GDPR compliance, regulatory requirements, Microsoft 365 infrastructure, IT support, and the overall technology roadmap. Held simultaneously with the Visual Talent role. Four responsibilities at once. Nothing dropped.
Founder — GIL (Personal Project)
A free, real-time guide to live music, street performers and venues in Lagos, Portugal — updated daily. My father is from Portugal, and this is a small thing given back to his country. Built in spare time, given freely to the community. Live at lagos.gil.today.
Available for the right opportunity
Both companies continue to serve their clients. 28 years of applied expertise, directorship across technology and commercial sectors, and an unbroken record of delivery — ready to go to work on something worthy of it.
Founded in 2003 when the concept of a dedicated, single-discipline Apple Mac support company was considered eccentric. Over twenty years later, mafiaBusiness remains independently owned, entirely Apple-focused, and built on relationships — some of which stretch back to before the company itself existed. No corporate layers. No support tickets. No strangers. Just expert care, delivered by the same person, every time.
Built on a single conviction: your email is yours and nobody else's business. Fully encrypted, privately managed email hosting — no scanning, no profiling, no compromise. SSL on every connection. Encryption at rest on every mailbox. Full IMAP, SMTP, CalDAV, CardDAV and ActiveSync support. Works with every email client you already use. Founded from within mafiaBusiness, incorporated in 2012, and grown entirely through word of mouth.
macOS, iOS, iPadOS — every iteration since 1996. Hardware diagnostics, system architecture, performance tuning, enterprise deployment. Not theoretical. Applied, daily, for 28 years.
Managed 20-plus terminal networks, multi-site infrastructure across London and Paris, business continuity planning, and zero-downtime operations for creative and professional firms.
End-to-end email encryption, SSL deployment, DNS hardening (SPF/DKIM/DMARC/MTA-STS), anti-spam infrastructure, and data protection. Built a company around this as a dedicated product.
Multiple companies incorporated and directed across technology, imports, and luxury concierge. Managed all aspects — technical delivery, client relationships, commercial strategy — often simultaneously.
Trusted by a former Director of Apple UK, managing directors of leading London agencies, architects, film producers, and therapists. Relationships that have lasted decades and built entire companies through referral alone.
Complex technical problems explained without condescension or jargon. Making a non-technical client feel safe and understood is a skill. I have been practising it for 28 years.
Miguel embraced the Macintosh early on so has lived and worked through problem solving of every iteration. We trusted him with setting up and sorting out our business on Macs. As an aside he is interesting, fun and can talk non-techy. As a former Director of Apple UK I can highly recommend him.
Sonja Garsvo
Former Director, Apple UK
Client since 2015 · 11 years
I have known Miguel since 1988, when I set up my architectural practice in London. Over these years he helped set up our network, manage our backup systems, in-house printing and all our IT needs — eventually joining us as IT Manager, keeping over 20 terminals running smoothly every day, and advising on our sister office in Paris too. His commitment helped us grow to 25 architects in London and 7 in Paris. The enterprise would have been impossible without his skill and knowledge. Miguel is my go-to man for everything computer.
Robert Barnes
Principal Architect
robertbarnesarchitects.com Client since 1988 · 38 years
I have had the pleasure of working with Miguel for many years, and I can say without hesitation that both my colleagues and I have relied heavily on his consistent support. He is always available, quick to resolve issues, and does so with a great sense of humour. Miguel has a remarkable ability to eliminate the typical frustrations associated with IT, making everything run seamlessly. I cannot recommend him highly enough to any individual or organisation in need of expert Mac support.
Jani Guest
Managing Director
Creators Inc Client since 2011 · 15 years
I seem to be quite gifted at mucking computers up — when a network that was working perfectly well goes wrong it is a mystery to me. To describe me as not the most patient client may also be something of an understatement. Miguel has been sorting out my special gift for over twenty years, throwing his comfort blanket over all things Apple again and again. How on earth he has the patience is an even bigger mystery.
Paul Mann
Managing Director
Machine Shop Client since 2004 · 22 years
What would I have done without Miguel's help and generous guidance over these decades? Besides the efficiency and 'can do' attitude, I love his humour and his ability to find metaphors and use language when terminology and tech talk sails above my head. When I need to be rescued from my desktop's incomprehensible behaviour, he gets straight back with a solution, even once at 11.30 pm. I recommend any friend to sign up to his incredible professional service and online protection.
Clare Cooper
Managing Director
Art First Client since 2013 · 13 years
When I set up my business and bought my first desktop Mac, Miggi was there to install and set up. And he has been there every step of the way for 20 years. Taking care of safety and security, diagnosing and fixing problems quickly. Time is money in my business — if the edit suite is not working it is off the bottom line — so speedy solutions are crucial. And then there is his calm manner and sense of humour that always serve to dispel any stress in the moment of a Mac problem. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Christian Banfield
Director & Photographer
Schmick Film & Photography Bureau Founding client since 2003 · 23 years
I have been working with Miguel for over ten years. He is the finest Swedish–Brazilian Apple man around. His only problem is that he dances like a Swede and has the technological skill of a Brazilian — but despite that, he is still better than anyone else.
Miles Morland
Founder
Miles Morland Foundation Client since 2009 · 17 years
Miguel came on board to our then Production Company MADAM Films and from day one seamlessly took charge of all of our IT needs and requirements. He has always felt like part of our team which has been priceless over the years. Developing our business needs as required and keeping us safe from ongoing hacking attempts. His work and support knows no bounds regardless of the time of day or day of the week. He allows you to have peace of mind at all times.
Michelle Stapleton
Managing Director
Move Menorca Client since 2018 · 8 years
The fastest Mac Man in the west comes to mind when I think of mafiaBusiness. Miguel is fast, amiable, understanding and has a lot of patience when it comes to dealing with his clients. Always available with a smile and sound advice. I highly recommend his services to anyone who is Mac-based.
Charles Aboah
Managing Director
CIMS Software Client since 2005 · 21 years
Miguel makes problems go away. He is always at the end of the phone — hosting, emails, scams, passwords, simple advice usually with an anecdote thrown in for good measure. Cannot recommend him enough. Everything is fixed. Always.
Ben Hampshire
Executive Director
Client since 2022 · 4 yearsI am not a CV person. I never have been. I am a person who shows up, fixes the unfixable, builds things that last, and makes clients feel safe enough that they stay for decades. If that is what your organisation needs, the next step is straightforward. Reach out via LinkedIn, or visit either company site to find me directly. I respond personally and promptly — exactly as I always have.