Lawrence Jones (businessman)
| Lawrence Jones | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
Lawrence Nigel Jones 1 August 1968 Denbigh, North Wales, UK |
| Residence | Cheshire, England |
| Occupation | CEO of UKFast |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Spouse(s) | Gail Jones |
| Children | 4 daughters |
| Website | www.lawrencejones.eu |
Lawrence Nigel Jones MBE (born 1 August 1968) is a businessman and digital entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of the Manchester-based colocation, dedicated and cloud hosting provider, UKFast.[1]
Early life
Jones was born in Denbigh, North Wales. At 7 years old he won a scholarship to sing and study music at Durham Chorister School [2][3] before attending Ruthin School School.[4][5]
Career
Jones formed UKFast with his partner Gail in 1999.[6]
The hosting and colocation business operates a data centre complex in Trafford Park, Manchester, and has over 200 employees.[7][8] In 2014, the firm's turnover was £28.9million.[9]
In May 2010 Lawrence Jones joined the board of directors of the Manchester Camerata.[10][11]
Lawrence Jones owns Castell Cidwm estate near the village of Betws Garmon originally owned by the Marquis of Anglesey who used the Castell Cidwm country house as his hunting lodge. [12]
Lawrence Jones acquired Le Farinet Hotel in Swiss ski resort Verbier in September 2014 [13]
Honours and awards
In 2012, Lawrence Jones was named Ernst & Young Technology Entrepreneur of the Year and, in 2013, he received ‘Director of the Year for a Small to Medium Company’ at the Institute of Directors’ awards ceremony.[14][15]
Jones was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to the digital economy.[16][17]
In July 2016 Jones received an honorary doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from Manchester Metropolitan University [18]
Personal life
Lawrence and Gail Jones have four daughters.[19] They live in Cheshire, England.[20]
External links
References
- ↑ "'My Way' – UKFast's CEO Lawrence Jones". Manchester Evening News. 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
- ↑ Hughes, Owen (2013). "Entrepreneur targeting North Wales for cutting edge data centre". The Daily Post. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ↑ "National Business Awards Entrepreneur finalist focus: Lawrence Jones, UKFast". Business Matters Magazine. 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ↑ http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/enterprise/my-way---ukfasts-ceo-1233847
- ↑ http://www.moneymakermagazine.co.uk/how-i-made-it-lawrence-jones/
- ↑ "How Lawrence Jones Built UKFast Into A Multi Million Pound Empire". Your Hidden Potential. 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ↑ Finnegan, Matthew (2012). "UKFast launches new data centre complex in Manchester". techworld.com. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ↑ Chapman, Stephen (2013). "UKFast invests £2m into family friendly working environment". Prolific North. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ↑ "'Impressive Year of Growth for UKFast'". Manchester Evening News. 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
- ↑ "Lawrence Jones Joins Manchester Camerata Board". UKPRWIRE.
- ↑ "UKFast partners with Manchester Camerata". Manchester Camerata.
- ↑ "Entrepreneur Targeting North Wales for cutting edge data centre". Daily Post. 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ↑ "'Lawrence Jones acquires first hotel in world-famous Swiss ski resort'". Manchester Evening News. 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- ↑ "Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012 Award Recipients" (PDF). Ernst & Young. 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ↑ "North West Director of the Year Awards". Institute of Directors. 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 61092. p. N21. 31 December 2014.
- ↑ 2015 New Year Honours List
- ↑ "Lawrence Jones MBE, CEO of UKFast, talks about receiving his honorary degree". MMU. 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
- ↑ "'My Way' – UKFast's CEO Lawrence Jones". Manchester Evening News. 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
- ↑ "The Cheshire Life Glitz List 2013". Cheshire Life. 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2014.