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

My first grown up job after newspaper rounds and Saturday jobs was a part-time stores person for a magnet company called Gensco in Toronto. I was in charge of all parts and stores, but generally got bored so learnt how to fix magnets and bar cutters, drive a forklift truck around and deliver to clients in downtown.

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

It was up to $400 in cash, every week. So quite a lot for an 18-year-old. I bought a Nirvana CD, a pair of red Patrick Ewing baseball boots and treated my niece and nephew to Dunkin’ Donuts.

Describe how your career developed to the present day Luck, being in the right place at the right time, confidence and a lot of hard work. I worked many a time for 24 to 48 hrs without leaving an office, and when most other people quit on a company and walked away, I was still there plugging away until I was made redundant on Christmas Eve.

What are the key responsibilities in your position?

In both companies, I have the responsibility of guiding my ship. They are relatively young and demand different levels of my skills. Technology is hot again right now but very different to the 1990s. People want a company successful in six months with an investment of £1.5m and not three years with £50-100m.

Describe a typical day I am woken at 6am, either by my cat Gloucester, or my wife Trina’s four alarms. My first cup of tea allows me to catch up on e-mails and the rest of the day can be meeting clients, partners, members of the team, or heading to one of our offices, or just shutting myself away in my private office in Bloxham and getting on with things. I do know I have a list every morning, which by the end of the day, seems to grow. Because I have two businesses, each with very different needs, I often find myself having to be two personalities.

Who/what have been the biggest influences on your career?

My dad, Ivor Hundley. Somehow in 1983, he had the vision to buy me a computer after I watched War Games and said I wanted to hack into the Pentagon, which of course, I didn’t! He also taught me that you can be the best: strong, but still liked by those who matter and, when he died at 41, it showed me that it can all be gone tomorrow, so you have to have a ‘can do’ attitude. I also like racing driver Michael Schumacher’s approach to life and the win at any cost approach.

What has been your best decision?

Turning down a job my now chairman, Kevin Doyle, offered me. I went to work for CommerceOne instead, and soon realised that the stock options documents were worth millions.

And your worst?

Thinking that I could be a stockbroker with my own money and that the dotcom boom would go on forever. Hence my downfall to bankruptcy which ended up being the worst decision, but the best thing that could happen to me.

What is the best advice you can give to someone starting out in your business?

Keep learning. Technology moves at a million miles an hour and most people struggle to stay in touch.

What is the secret of good management?

Know your team and always let them take the credit. At the end of the day, they make you look good.

Do you have a good work/life balance?

My friends and, more importantly, my wife, make sure I do get a balance. Otherwise I would keep going every second of the day.

What hobbies/interests do you enjoy in your spare time?

I love horses and also used to do a lot of motorsport but now I don’t seem to have the time or the money! I actually like to just stop and spend quality time with my wife.

Is there anything in business that really irritates you?

Empire-building and politics. I watch companies and departments, especially in the UK, who have a gold medal in this area and it frustrates me so much.

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

I want Drinksin (an IT firm for the pub/bar industry) valued at £50m and bought out and Adaro Red, (an IT consultancy) I would love to see turning over £30m a year, with small margins and benefiting the NHS and charities we work with.

What has been your most satisfying moment?

Two really. First, marrying Trina. And, two weeks after the redundancy at Christmas, I flew to New York to work for Chase Manhattan. All I was told was that I had an apartment in some place called Battery Park City. That apartment turned out to be next to the world trade centre on the 20th floor, with stunning views. Even better, it was right next to Wall Street. Truly one of those movie moments when I walked in to the amazing view and thought ‘wow I have arrived. It has all been worth it!’.

Do you believe there is enough help and support from government and agencies for growing businesses?

No — that is partly why I left the UK and the help that is out there is not very good and I have certainly never benefited from any of it. The advice that is given out to some individuals, while as a foundation might be ‘text book correct’, in reality is not fit for purpose. I have offered to help in these areas and if I do get a response, its “this is how we do it and how its always been.” They forget to say, it doesn’t really work very well.

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

Both the companies have a green policy. I would question whether that’s enough and there is certainly room for improvement. Companies should be given specific targets to meet. The whole attitude of ‘it doesn’t affect me’, or ‘not my problem’ is a load of rubbish.

What is the secret of a happy workforce?

To understand who they are and what drives them. I also like to make people part of the success, so everyone has stock options, etc, in the business, so it’s in their interest for us to succeed.

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

Formula One driver. I just hope my future children inherit my love of motor racing.

What would you like to do when you retire?

I hopefully will have built AI robots and taken over the world. Or I would like to be helping good causes, mentoring people, spending time with my family and driving a 1954 Mercedes Benz W196 in historic grand prix.