Our Beginning

Fretec founder Ian French has spent most of his career in telecoms and technology. Over the years he worked with almost every operator in the market, including ESAT and later Magnet, one of Ireland’s most technically ambitious challenger brands. Magnet was ahead of its time and it shaped how Ian thinks about networks, performance and what’s possible when you do things right.

Before that, Ian stepped away from commercial tech altogether and spent nearly a decade working with an NGO. That time included living and working in the Congo, where technology was about vital real-world impact. It showed him just how powerful good technical decisions can be when they genuinely improve people’s lives.

By the late 2010s Ian was living in Dublin, working long hours for large corporations, building a home and raising a young family.
Having worked with big organisations for so many years, Ian recognised the need for a more personal expert service in the marketplace, as well as his personal need for a better work / life balance.

Relocating to a rural location in the South East of Ireland, Ian took a break, stepped back and started planning a service that would help clients to make their organisations more secure, more efficient and more profitable through intelligent use of technology and a more human understanding of their needs.

He started to pull together a small group of talented engineers and technologists who really care about doing things right.

In 2018 Fretec was formally established, supported by startup and accelerator programmes through Intreo. Since then the business has grown steadily, built on strong technical foundations, honest and expert advice and long-term relationships rather than hype.

Ian’s background in applied physics and applied electronics still underpins everything Fretec does. But the real driver is experience knowing what works in the real world, understanding the pressure clients are under and building solutions that are robust, practical and future-proof.
Today Fretec works with organisations who need serious technical expertise without the corporate bs.
Fretec does not aim to be the biggest dev ops support service in the world but it does work to be the best in the world for the select group of clients they work for.
We want to help your organisation to reach its goals while staying secure.

Climb high. Hold fast.

I’m a technology professional with a background in DevOps, cloud infrastructure, and systems support, supported by certifications in AWS, Azure, web design, game development and visual architecture tools such as Lucidchart.
My career path has been hands-on and diverse. I’ve worked in everything from telecommunications and technical support to hospitality roles in high-end hotels and bars. This variety of experiences has shaped my ability to solve problems quickly, communicate clearly, and work effectively with people from all backgrounds.
I’m naturally analytical and enjoy tackling complex challenges, whether that’s optimising infrastructure or solving a difficult puzzle. Outside of work, I’m highly active and competitive, training daily in CrossFit and competing in events such as Hyrox. I also play men’s basketball for Wexford Blazers, which reflects my team-focused mindset and discipline both on and off the court.

With over 14 years of hands-on experience in the Information Technology industry, I’ve built deep expertise across AWS, Linux environments and PBX software, always with a strong emphasis on IT security and robust root cause analysis.

My work is driven by a commitment to reliability, efficiency, and secure system design.

I take pride in solving complex technical challenges with clarity and precision.
Outside of work, I like to keep fit and spend quality time with my family, which keeps me balanced and energised for the demands of the tech world.

I am an experienced cloud-focused Project Manager with a strong background in analytical decision-making, risk management and operational delivery, developed through 16 years as a commercial pilot in the aviation industry.

My career transition into IT and cloud services has allowed me to combine structured planning, stakeholder communication and team leadership with modern cloud and security practices.

I hold an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Business, AWS Cloud Practitioner certification, ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Lead Internal Auditor certification, GDPR cyberdata info security training and multiple Vital implementation and risk assessment qualifications.

I bring a resilient, collaborative leadership style, strong organisational skills, and
clear communication to cloud deployment projects, ensuring efficient delivery, stakeholder alignment and high operational standards.

I am a security-focused DevOps Engineer who helps organisations secure and scale cloud and on-prem environments. I work across infrastructure security, automation, compliance, penetration testing and vulnerability scanning, supporting PCI DSS and ISO 27001 programs.

I hold CISSP and multiple advanced security certifications, with hands-on experience in cloud platforms, scripting and virtualisation. I am committed to building security solutions that deliver both robust protection and practical operational value, while continually expanding my skill set.