entrepreneurs 19


Pictures by Angus Thomas


What was your first major customer win? My first serious contract was Motorola. We custom designed computers for them so they could diagnose the mobile communications devices they supplied to the police. That really defined our value-added service element.


I went on to configure Sage accounting packages on our computers, selling them for £999 and the response was so good we had people queuing for them.


Did the business grow quickly after that?


Until 1989, we were known as an engineering company and it was our technical skills which, in 1990, enabled us to win our first contract with the Ministry of Defence. That really taught us the principles of discipline, loyalty and rapid response,


and in a two-year period took our turnover from £2m to £8m and then £16m. Then we won a contract with UNIPART to provide 5,000 custom computers for all its resellers and distributors as they moved from microfiche to electronic catalogues for all its car parts.


We also developed our own Advent brand of PCs to sell through Dixons, PC World and Currys and the Vulcan brand to the John Lewis Group. The retail side taught me a very different aspect of the business; everything is focused on price, price, price.


The business is constantly evolving, today it’s about providing managed services and solutions.


You’ve won a number of awards, what’s your secret?


Excellent customer service. We’ve worked hard to build relationships with our customers and that’s down to our very loyal and committed staff. We’re proud of our successes.


What are your future ambitions?


There’s no doubt technology keeps demanding different things. We’re working with partners and looking at a number of ventures, including video conferencing, mobile data centres and of course data back-up using cloud services. Issues such as data security, logistics and cost-effectiveness are top of the list for businesses.


You’re a big supporter of the new wave of entrepreneurs.


Yes, I’m always interested in helping them. For me, it’s less about the money and more about giving something back and helping to support them. If people have the aspiration and the commitment to do well, then I want to help.


We’ve made a number of investments, joint ventures and acquisitions in up-and-coming technology companies and I work closely with the local business community.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – JUNE 2014 Do you ever stop working?


I’m a good bridge player and I enjoy reading, especially autobiographies, people like Blair, Maxwell, Gerstner and Jobs. Whether they’ve been politicians or technology people, I’ve enjoyed them in a different way and I’ve learned lessons from them too.


You’re well-known as a supporter of Basingstoke Town Football Club.


Yes, I’m chairman and I’ve been working hard on plans to relocate them to a new ground and community stadium complex. I’ve never been a footballer myself, I only ever played as a kid, but I wanted to give something back to the people of Basingstoke. I really appreciate all the work done by people that support local clubs – not just football – week in and week out.


The club has been going for over 100 years and my aspiration is to see them playing football on a new ground, somewhere everyone can be proud of and which leaves a legacy for the town.


I’m also involved with various other sports and we fundraise for various local charities too. In March, Centerprise donated £6,000 to Hounds for Heroes, a charity that provides trained dogs to injured servicemen and women. Some of our staff raised money by running in the Reading Half Marathon and we had a race night at Basingstoke Rugby Club, as well as various other activities.


Any retirement plans?


I’ve just turned 65, but as long as I am healthy and enjoy contributing to the business then I’ll keep going. I’m still very involved in the day-to-day operations and processes and I never sit at my desk for very long. I like to be out talking to people, checking morale is good and knowing what is going on.


The secret is knowing when you are a nuisance and not contributing any longer.


Details: www.centerprise.co.uk www.businessmag.co.uk


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