entrepreneurs 29


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account management normally only delivered by smaller businesses. This commitment to customer service is complemented by the competitiveness and buying power of a business with a multi-million pound turnover.


What about plans for future growth or new ideas?


We acquired OneStream in Norfolk in November, followed by The Communications Centre at Cheltenham in December. We are looking to expand organically and by acquiring smaller, well-established businesses which have excellent customer relationships, because they comprise a similar fit to ourselves. There is a lot of consolidation in the mobile world. We’re obviously interested in


Vodafone partners who, for whatever reason, cannot or do not want to take their business to the next level. I see a future move toward a communications utopia where you could wrap the lot under one service: broadband, landline, mobile, Sky/TV provision. Also, looking ahead, troubleshooting will occur by pro-actively ’mining telecoms data’, for want of a better phrase, pre-empting potential problems.


What’s your business mantra?


It’s all about customer service; I began in business with that in mind and continue to this day. That’s the most important lesson I’ve ever learned. Retention is as important as new business and we enjoy a 93% customer retention rate.


Is there anything you would have done differently?


In the KJC days I would have got a more experienced management team to grow the business quicker.


With Stephen Hunter coming on board as non-executive chairman, it’s an exciting time for building the company’s strengths – what is he doing?


I met Stephen the day KJC opened, when he came in to introduce himself. He’s the perfect mentor for me now and is using his vast experience in business finance and the legal sphere, his business acumen and expertise in corporate governance, to take the business on and future proof it. He can look at it not just as a technology business but as a functioning business.


It’s been a revelation and he brings a different perspective.


Going back to your mobile phone, which you’ve said is currently a Nokia, who’s on your speed dial?


My wife, family, friends and business partner. THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – FEBRUARY 2014


We are all in touch with the office via mobile comms, but if you have a day off work, what will you be found doing?


Cycling – I enjoy road and mounting biking, often over at Ringwood, or around Romsey, Bramshaw and parts of the New Forest.


What would you consider your greatest achievement?


My children. Oliver is doing a Masters in small-screen acting in London, while Victoria is taking a degree in fashion, also in London.


Do you have family following in your footsteps, either in the technology sphere or via entrepreneurial interests?


Not as far as technology goes, but my children are both highly creative, which probably comes from my wife, Maria, who has her own jewellery design company. They’re entrepreneurial. Victoria plans to set up her own fashion line and I can certainly advise her on business pitfalls and early development.


Are you good at managing a home/work balance, even though your children are older and away from home?


I dip in and out of work. I will always answer important emails but then I will leave it until I’m back in the office.


It’s pretty much what


we all do these days now that technology has given us non-stop access.


You’ve run the New York marathon, enjoy boating and biking, and sponsored Matt Bell Racing in the past; are there any unfulfilled ambitions to drive a fast car on a specific track?


No, I think I will leave the racing to Matt and concentrate more on my cycling, I have a 100-mile race coming up in New York this May .


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