It's a wired world

What was your first job and what did your responsibilities include?

My first serious job after art college was as a production assistant at a marketing services agency in London where I had to fathom out how to use a newly-acquired Apple IIe to make presentation slides. I thankfully moved on pretty quickly to produce conferences and product launches.

How much was in your first pay packet and what did you spend it on?

Like many students, my first month’s pay packet of £350 went on paying off debts.

Describe how your career developed to the present day.

I have always been in marketing businesses of one sort or another, whether as a producer, account director, freelancer or client, latterly starting and running a business providing online community networks for businesses and then running a social media consultancy for businesses and charities.

In the past ten years I have been increasingly involved in rural broadband projects locally, which is when I became aware of the vital need for a future-proof superfast broadband service in rural areas.

That convinced me to form Cotswolds Broadband which will provide 9,000 homes and businesses in West Oxfordshire with superfast broadband.

What are the key responsibilities in your position?

The role of chief executive in a small company is varied, particularly as a start-up where funding is tight and so every player has to multi-task and develop skills on the job. Fortunately, I have a very good team around me that allows me to concentrate on my key responsibilities of strategic management, marketing, PR and operations.

Describe a typical day My time currently consists of meeting new partners, building relationships, negotiating on technology solutions and agreeing terms and conditions for working relationships.

I am also a trustee for a medical research charity (The SMA Trust) which is very close to my heart, and which takes up a proportion of my time.

Who/what have been the biggest in fluences on your career?

I admire driven people who stand by their goals and will not accept second best.

They include James Dyson, Steve Jobs and Donald Campbell, all of whom have been uncompromising in their ambitions to succeed.

What has been your best decision?

To concentrate on bringing superfast broadband to the area in which I live.

And your worst?

Making a poor choice of business partner a few years ago.

Do you run an apprenticeship scheme and, if so, why?

Not yet, but it is something we plan to do, in order to involve the local community.

What is the secret of good management?

Listening and understanding before making decisions.

Do you have a good work/life balance?

It has improved immeasurably since I have worked more locally. I am now able to do the school run which gives me precious time with my children and walk the dogs before work, which is a great time to consider the day ahead.

What are the biggest challenges facing your business today?

As a start-up everything is a challenge but currently the biggest one is funding, which we are handling through an innovative mix of methods including a new Rural Broadband Fund using the Enterprise Investment Scheme, crowd-funding and state aid. But we are not dependent on any bank loans.

Is there anything in business that really irritates you?

Incompetent people passing themselves off as capable really irks me. Individuals should know their capabilities and should recognise those as qualities, rather than trying to over-reach. I also hate companies that pay invoices late, since I have been on the receiving end of too many late payments.

How do you see your company developing over the next five years?

Our five-year plan involves developing a broadband infrastructure service with a long life cycle in terms of payback, so we aim to be refinancing the business in about five years. With a largely outsourced operation, the business will remain pretty lean.

What has been your most satisfying moment?

There was a point earlier this year when I suddenly realised all our aspirations for the business had finally crystallised into a plan that started to make sense. That was exciting and fuelled my decision to concentrate solely on the broadband business.

How much do you use social media and how effective is it?

Having been a consultant in social media I am an avid business user of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, Foursquare and other networks. These days social media has a role to play as a part of any marketing strategy, whether B2B or B2C.

What is your attitude to the environment and do you have any green policies in place?

I am keen to support green initiatives and sustainability for the future.

What do you do to motivate your workforce?

Ensure there is regular two-way dialogue, mainly so that issues are raised and addressed before they become risks or problems.

Is there any other job you would like to have done and why?

I have always been keen on mechanical engineering and wish I had studied it at university, possibly leading to a role in automotive design and engineering. I have a number of engineering design ideas that I have never fully developed.

What would you like to do when you retire?

I would like to do just that — retire rather than cut back on work. My father continued working until he was 91 and I do not intend to follow in his footsteps!