What has been your personal highlight of 2021?
Definitely our expansion into Manchester. Opening a new office in the middle of a pandemic was a huge risk to take; however, I believe it is going to be great for SysGroup.
It is excellent to be at a point where we can establish a sales and marketing hub in the UK's second largest tech city, while retaining our Liverpool roots.
Which tech figurehead has impressed you the most this year, and why?
Richard Hayes, co-founder and CEO of Mojo Mortgages. I think what the business has achieved in such a short space of time in the fintech space, as well as being a huge disruptor in the sector, is commendable.
Which one lockdown habit do you plan to keep going?
Remembering that I have a family too and spending time with them. It's been great for us all to become so close again. It's easy to let business commitments get in the way, and family is certainly one thing that you shouldn't take for granted.
Which face-to-face industry event are you most excited to return to, and why?
The North West Dealmakers Awards ceremony is coming up at the end of October and I am looking forward to having the business and finance community come together in one space to once again celebrate the successes of the growing businesses in the region.
We were on an impressive acquisitive growth journey of our own pre-pandemic and have an active pipeline ahead of us, so it will be great to get face-to-face conversations kick-started once again.
If you could go back in time and tell your childhood self one thing, what would you say?
Be careful who you trust. I've trusted a few of the wrong people along the way in my career and it hurts when that trust is betrayed.
If you had to sing karaoke, what would be your song of choice?
I wouldn't - it just wouldn't be fair for me to put other people through the pain of listening to me sing!
Sum 2021 up in three words.
Chaotic, extraordinary, opportunity.
