A New Hartley-based technology and data protection specialist is helping businesses and charities gain confidence in the digital world through her unique support membership, Ask Mrs Watson.
Kate Watson has spent more than 40 years working in IT, software training and data protection, supporting organisations ranging from international shipping firms and insurance companies to dentists, estate agencies, hotels and charities.
Now, through her business Ask Mrs Watson, she is offering practical, judgement-free support designed especially for small businesses and organisations that may not have the budgets of larger corporations but still face growing cyber security risks and can feel overwhelmed and unsure of what they need to do to comply with what can feel like complex data protection laws
Kate explained: “The data protection side and the software training side really go hand in hand. If people feel more confident using technology, they are less likely to make mistakes or click on something they shouldn’t.”
The idea for Ask Mrs Watson grew from years of clients asking if they could simply “ring up and ask a question” whenever they got stuck with technology.
Kate registered the Ask Mrs Watson domain back in 2010, creating a service where members could access trusted advice on everything from Excel spreadsheets and Google Sheets to email problems, online meetings and cyber security concerns.
Members of the service are affectionately known as “The Askers”, with Kate describing them as “wonderful people” who value having expert support on hand when they need it.
The membership scheme includes Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, all providing access to the same expertise but with different levels of hands-on support.
The Bronze package offers unlimited email support, while the Silver and Gold memberships include virtual face-to-face sessions and dedicated monthly support hours. Rather than simply fixing problems for clients, Kate focuses on helping people understand the solutions themselves.
“If somebody sends me an Excel worksheet that isn’t behaving properly, I won’t just fix it and send it back,” she said. “I’ll explain what I did and how I did it so they can feel more confident doing it themselves in future.”
Kate believes smaller organisations are increasingly vulnerable to cyber criminals because they often lack the large information security budgets available to major corporations.
“Having somebody trusted in your corner can make all the difference,” she added. “People want truthful, honest answers without jargon or judgement.”
One of Kate’s clients, Fiona Pallister from Durham Christian Partnership said:
“Kate supported our charity initially with our GDPR compliance and now with our IT software training. It has been great working with Kate, she has really supported extending our knowledge, implementing new policies, and all with her infectious enthusiasm and positivity.”
Before launching Ask Mrs Watson full-time, Kate also worked at the former PC World, now part of Currys, where she developed a reputation for helping customers understand technology in a friendly and approachable way.
Away from business, Kate volunteers as a presenter on Radio Northumberland, where she enjoys interviewing local people and supporting community broadcasting. She hosts a weekly technology show.
“I absolutely fell in love with community radio,” she said. “I really enjoy talking to people and hearing their stories almost as much as I love helping with people’s tech issues.”
Ends
Photo: Kate (with glasses) and Fiona at Durham Christian partnerships food bank (Steve Brock Photography)
Pr and media keith@highlightspr.co.uk 07814 397951