About Us

MERIT is the UK's foremost Information & Communication Technology (ICT) user group. Our aim is to assist all users of ICT to fully benefit from the appropriate use of the technology.

This section provides information about MERIT - what our core values are, how we came about and who is involved in the organisation.

At the centre of MERIT is our membership which determines how we operate, what we focus upon and what we do as an organisation.

MERIT’s strap-line, “sharing solutions”, reflects how we hope we operate, in a highly cost-effective manner sharing best practice, experience, contacts and if at all possible, business.

Please click on any of the menu options to the left to get more detailed information about MERIT.

Mission Statement

MERIT is a proactive member-led organisation that promotes best practice and offers support to those members who are, or are thinking of, embracing information and communication technology (ICT).

Our aim is to engage in a constant dialogue with all of our members to ensure we deliver services and support that is of value to them and that will, ultimately, manifest itself in measurable benefits.

We will always attempt to provide our members with support that is appropriate and useful and helps them to achieve their goals.

A focused approach, aided by lively debate with, and amongst our members, the exchange of ideas and joint collaboration, will ensure that MERIT continues to be a major force in the changing face of ICT in the North West.

We want to ensure that our members are aware of and able to use the best ICT techniques and technologies available.

History

MERIT was founded in 1988 by a small group of senior managers working for a number of North West-based organisations. This group was drawn together by the need to secure independent help and advice on how to optimise information and communication technology. This small group realised the value of sharing experiences and expertise. Also, they were able to benefit from buying and lobbying as a group to secure economic and decision-making power.

From its humble beginnings MERIT has grown in terms of size and areas of activity, despite having no full-time support structure. MERIT has flourished with the help of member’s fees and contributions in kind from a wide and varied group of organisations and individuals. By 1998, MERIT had grown to the extent that it was decided to seek the support of European Union, Objective 1 funding to provide full-time staff who could administer the organisation and extend the areas of activity.

In 1998, MERIT (NW) Limited was established as a non-profit making membership organisation with a board of directors appointed from the membership. Subsequently, MERIT (NW) Limited was formally launched by Barbara Roche MP who was the Small Firms Minister.

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