Who Owns 20i? Ownership, History, and Growth

When I looked into reliable hosting solutions in the UK, one name stood out, 20i. But I wanted to know more: Who actually owns 20i, and what makes this company different from others in the hosting space?

After researching its background, I discovered that 20i is an independently owned hosting provider founded by industry veterans, not a faceless corporation.

Here are the key takeaways:

20i is owned by Tim and Jonathan Brealey, the brothers behind major UK hosting brands.
It was launched in 2016 as an independent alternative to corporate-owned hosts.
The company continues to innovate, offering award-winning services to over 1 million websites.

Let’s explore the story behind 20i, its leadership, growth, and why ownership really matters when choosing a hosting provider.

What Is 20i?

Founded in 2016, 20i is a UK-based web hosting company that offers scalable, high-performance solutions for businesses, agencies, developers, and individuals. It provides services including Reseller Hosting, Managed WordPress Hosting, and Cloud Hosting on its proprietary autoscaling platform.

Unlike many hosting providers that rely on third-party tools, 20i has developed its own infrastructure. The company’s unique My20i control panel, award-winning support, and autoscaling cloud servers distinguish it in a crowded market. With a growing customer base and over one million websites hosted, 20i has solidified its reputation for quality and reliability in the UK.

Who Owns 20i Today, and What Is Their Background in Web Hosting?

20i is privately owned by Tim and Jonathan Brealey, two names that have shaped the UK’s web hosting landscape. Before founding 20i, the Brealey brothers had already achieved significant success in the industry. They were involved in the creation and development of Webfusion, 123-Reg, and Heart Internet, three of the most recognisable names in UK hosting history.

After selling Heart Internet, they decided to return to the industry to build something truly different: a hosting company that prioritised innovation, performance, and independence. Under their leadership, 20i operates as 20i Limited, a UK-registered entity with full autonomy from corporate ownership or venture capital influence.

Why Isn’t 20i Owned by a Big Tech Corporation?

In an industry where consolidation is common, 20i remains independently owned. This is a deliberate decision by its founders. Large hosting conglomerates often focus on scalability and profitability, which can lead to compromises in support quality, service innovation, and customer experience.

Instead, 20i has positioned itself as an alternative to the status quo. Its independence allows for:

Faster innovation cycles
Transparent pricing models
Responsive UK-based customer support
Freedom from shareholder pressure

This agility is a direct result of not being bound by corporate bureaucracy, allowing the Brealeys to steer the company with customer-first values.

How Did the Founders Build 20i Into a Leading UK Hosting Company?

Behind 20i’s rapid growth is a story of two founders who set out to build a hosting company that put performance, reliability, and resellers first.

Vision and Foundation

Tim and Jonathan Brealey saw a gap in the market for a modern, performance-driven host that didn’t compromise on customer service.

From the start, 20i was built with the reseller hosting market in mind, using the Brealeys’ decades of insight into what web professionals really need.

Technological Progression

Over the years, 20i has rolled out several major updates and innovations:

Year	Milestone
2016	Company founded by the Brealey brothers
2025	Expansion into Europe with Amsterdam data centre
2026	PHP upgrades to versions 8.1.34 through 8.5.1
2026	Support for .NET 10 for Managed Cloud Servers

These updates are more than technical enhancements; they’re signs of a company that evolves in sync with the needs of developers and businesses.

What Makes 20i’s Ownership Model Different from Other Hosting Companies?

The hosting market has increasingly become dominated by a handful of corporations. Many well-known brands are now under the umbrella of large tech firms or venture capital holdings. This typically results in standardised service delivery, reduced customisation, and a slower pace of innovation.

In contrast, 20i’s founder-led ownership model enables it to take a customer-centric approach. Here’s how it differs:

Feature	20i (Founder-Owned)	Corporate-Owned Hosts
Decision Making	Agile and user-focused	Shareholder influenced
Innovation	In-house platform development	Reliant on third-party tools
Customer Support	24/7 UK-based experts	Often outsourced
Transparency	No upsells, fair pricing	Frequent price hikes

To see how this founder-led approach impacts speed, uptime, and usability in practice, take a look at our detailed 20i review.

Why Doesn’t Everyone Trust Independent Hosting Providers Like 20i?

Despite the benefits of independence, some users hesitate to choose smaller, non-corporate providers due to concerns around scalability, longevity, or support.

However, 20i addresses these concerns head-on:

It has hosted over 1 million websites, demonstrating proven scalability.
The company has won awards year after year, including “Best Web Host” and “Best Support.”
UK-based, 24×7 customer service ensures immediate help when needed.

The truth is, bigger doesn’t always mean better, and in the case of 20i, independence translates to greater accountability and responsiveness.

How Do the Brealey Brothers’ Decisions Influence 20i’s Success?

The Brealey brothers remain actively involved in the business, steering strategy, innovation, and customer experience. Their long-term vision keeps the focus on value and performance, rather than short-term profits.

Founders’ Influence in Practice

Platform design: The My20i control panel is built in-house for tailored usability.
Product innovation: Features like autoscaling and staging environments are rolled out based on user feedback.
Community investment: 20i supports the digital community by sponsoring events across the UK, including WordPress meetups, Laravel conferences, and design-focused summits.

This leadership involvement ensures the company doesn’t lose sight of its founding principles as it grows.

What Hosting Solutions Has 20i Developed Under Its Founders?

Under the Brealeys’ guidance, 20i has developed hosting solutions designed for speed, flexibility, and value.

Core Services Offered:

Managed Cloud Servers: Ideal for developers managing large-scale projects.
WordPress Hosting: High-performance managed hosting with built-in security and optimisation.
Reseller Hosting: A flexible, scalable solution allowing users to host unlimited websites.

Service Comparison Table

Service	Best For	Key Features	Starting Price
Managed Cloud Servers	Agencies, Enterprises	Autoscaling, .NET 10, PHP 8.5	£9.99/month
WordPress Hosting	Bloggers, SMEs	Speed, Security, Ease of Use	£10/month
Reseller Hosting	Freelancers, Agencies	Unlimited Sites, 50% Off	Variable

Each offering is backed by fast infrastructure and expert support, key traits that stem from founder-driven strategy.

Conclusion

I believe knowing who owns your hosting company can make a significant difference in your overall experience. With 20i, you’re not just choosing a service, you’re choosing a platform built by passionate industry veterans who have done it before and are doing it better now.

The Brealey brothers’ influence is evident in every aspect of the company: from its cutting-edge tech to its dedication to customers.

Their independence gives them the freedom to innovate without compromise, and that’s exactly what sets 20i apart.