About Us

A partner
who gets it

Octopus 365 started in a nursery, not a boardroom. What began as a simple system to help a local setting has grown into software trusted by nurseries, clubs, and schools across Wales and beyond. We’re a small team that works closely with a select number of customers each year — so you receive personal support, smart tools, and a partner who truly understands early years.
Our approach

Fewer clients, more care

We keep it personal on purpose.

Octopus 365 operates with a limited number of settings, allowing us to provide each one with our complete attention.

There are no call centres and no long waits for answers — just friendly support from individuals who know your nursery inside and out.

We’re here to make life easier, not busier.

JustMeBW
Rhys Face
Katie BW-NoBackground
The human element

What's our secret? Great people.

We’re a close-knit crew who care about what we do—and who we do it for. No faceless support teams or endless escalations exist here. When you get in touch, you’ll speak to someone who knows your setting, understands your needs, and is ready to help. We're not just techies—we’re partners, problem solvers, and sometimes even a friendly ear on a busy day.

Meet the team

Our values

Kindness

We treat every customer like a person, not a number. Friendly, helpful, and always happy to chat.

Simplicity

We believe software should make life easier. No jargon, no fuss — just tools that work the way you need them to.

Focus

By working with only a few settings, we give each one the time, care, and attention it deserves.

Curiosity

We love learning how your setting works — and we’re always looking for ways to improve what we do.

Understanding

We know early years inside out — especially here in Wales. Our software fits around your day-to-day.

Reliability

We’re the team you can count on. Quick responses, honest answers, and support that’s always human.

ISO 9001-2015
ISO 14001-2015
ISO 27001-2017
CyberEssentialsCertified

The Dream Team (Minus the Capes)

James Richards
Founder
James launched Octopus 365 back in 2011 after building a custom system for his son’s nursery — long before “Octopus” was even in the name. With a background in software and a love of solving real-world problems, he’s been quietly shaping the system ever since. Whether he’s coding something new, improving something old, or untangling the occasional tech mystery, James is the reason everything runs smoothly (most of the time).

Rhys Evans

Tech Support Superhero
With a background in customer service and sales, Rhys knows how to keep people happy — and now he knows how to fix their tech too. He joined Octopus 365 in 2020 and hasn’t looked back. A fluent Welsh speaker and an amazing guitarist, he’s just as comfortable setting up a new customer as he is smashing out a solo or chatting in Cymraeg. Tech support with rhythm — what more could you want?

Katie Draper

Customer Care & Early Years Lead
Katie joined us in 2022 after 13 years managing a busy nursery — so when she says she understands how settings work, she really means it. She's been on the front line of snack times, nappy changes, and last-minute ratio panics. Now, she brings all that experience to help our customers feel supported and understood. Recently promoted to mum, Katie’s juggling nappies at home and nursery know-how at work like a pro.

Ready to make life easier?

Contact Us