Acronis Drives MSP Growth Using Elite Football Mindset with Ronan McCurtin

Acronis TRU Security Gala 2025 set the tone in London

On November 25, industry leaders gathered at Fulham Pier in London for the Acronis TRU Security Gala 2025. The event blended business insights and networking along the Thames in one of London’s most notable settings. Throughout the day, Acronis MSP and the Acronis Threat Research Unit presented their latest findings on emerging cyber threats while partners and Acronis executives shared success stories and strategic perspectives. Technology Reseller Magazine attended to capture developments and provide a direct view of the message driving this year’s edition.

Strong morning sessions provided clear direction for the MSP market

The first sessions of the day energized attendees quickly. MSP partners received in-depth technical briefings, market insights, and industry data reflecting the challenges and opportunities shaping the UK MSP sector today. Discussions covered growing customer demands, rising operational costs, and how partners can strengthen their business models in a rapidly evolving market. The day concluded with an elegant gala dinner that recognized innovation, leadership, and outstanding performance. With the Thames as a backdrop, Acronis reinforced its message of long-term commitment and dedication to partner success.

Ronan McCurtin explains how elite sports shape the next phase of MSP development

At Fulham FC’s Riverside Stand, Technology Reseller met Ronan McCurtin, RVP EMEA at Acronis. The conversation quickly turned to how the company’s involvement in elite sports is changing its approach to working with MSP partners. What began as a brand initiative has matured into a strategic model that blends the discipline, focus, and performance culture of sports with practical business support for MSP operations.

Acronis TeamUp Program creates real partner value

This approach is most visible in the Acronis TeamUp Program, launched in 2016 alongside the Toro Rosso Formula 1 team. Since then it has grown into an ecosystem that includes more than 60 clubs across football, rugby, basketball, ice hockey, and motorsport. In the UK, Acronis partners with clubs such as Fulham, Manchester City, Brentford, and Harlequins. TeamUp is more than logo placement: it’s a channel-driven strategy where MSP partners deliver Acronis technology to clubs, creating strong reference customers and new commercial opportunities. MSP partners view TeamUp as a strategic tool that strengthens their market position.

Support for MSP partners goes well beyond technology

McCurtin highlighted the evolving needs of the MSP segment. Many partners are technically proficient but need increasing help with pricing strategies, marketing, and long-term business development. To address this, Acronis has expanded its Value Add Program with business planning workshops, pricing calculators, go-to-market support, and advisory services that help MSP firms identify strengths and define their most profitable customer profiles. These initiatives boost partners’ ability to scale services and improve competitiveness, giving Acronis MSP partners a clearer framework to grow their businesses more effectively.

A broader technical platform with a vendor-neutral strategy

Acronis continues to extend its technical platform, which now includes more than 20 built-in services and hundreds of integrations. The company maintains a vendor-neutral approach, making it easier for MSP partners to work across diverse tools and systems. Whether a partner uses NinjaOne for RMM or SentinelOne for EDR, Acronis focuses on orchestration, protection, and centralized management in multi-vendor environments.

AI will elevate the MSP market to the next level

According to McCurtin, artificial intelligence will play a central role in the MSP industry’s future. MSP partners already hold large volumes of data but few can fully exploit it. AI opens the door to identifying risks, automating marketing activities, predicting customer needs, and generating insights that were previously unavailable. AI will become one of the most important tools for Acronis MSP in the coming years.

Plan for 2026 strengthens cybersecurity and cost-effective infrastructure

Looking ahead to 2026, Acronis plans to deepen integration with Virtuozzo to offer cost-efficient infrastructure for MSP partners. Enhanced protection for Microsoft 365 and a broader range of cybersecurity services are also central to the company’s roadmap. The goal is to provide MSP partners with more robust services, higher operational efficiency, and stronger competitive advantages.

The elite sports mindset becomes a competitive advantage for the MSP ecosystem

From football stadiums to racing circuits, elite sports are now a strategic element in Acronis’ efforts to strengthen partner relationships and deliver tangible business benefits. By combining technology, business coaching, and program support, Acronis helps MSP companies sharpen strategy, raise service quality, and grow with confidence.