Visionary internet entrepreneur to step down as chief exec after 25 years

Richard Tang

Internet entrepreneur Richard Tang is to step down as chief executive of the firm he founded more than 20 years ago.

Richard Tang launched Zen Internet from his home in Rochdale in 1995 and has since gone on to grow a £70m business.

The businessman, who is known for his laid back approach, is being replaced by businessman Paul Stobart.

He will take on the role of chairman with the brief of promoting the business.

The aim is to take on the big firms and grow the business over the next decade.

The 52-year-old told The Manchester Evening News: “Over the last few years I have done more and more to promote the business through my blog, media work and speaking at events.

“This would give me the chance to become the face of Zen and address our biggest challenge: that most people haven’t heard of us.”

The businessman is known for his love of paragliding and ju-jitsu.

He said: “I like doing wacky stuff so I’m happy to have a bit of fun with my new role, so maybe I could paraglide across the English Channel promoting Zen.

“But I also want to get the message out there that there is a better way to do business.”

“The team have been great. They know I will still be around. That is really important that I had a presence in the office and can still take my turn making teas and coffees.

“Some of the staff asked me if I was nervous about the change, after all this is my baby that I have grown over 23 years.

“Deep down I know this is the right thing to do. If Paul hadn’t come along then I wouldn’t have thought about finding a new CEO. It feels like fate, or destiny, and we may never get this opportunity again.”

Paul Stobart has been working with Zen for over a year.

Richard Tang said: “At Zen, we believe in doing things differently.

“It was crucial for me that anyone replacing me as CEO was absolutely aligned with our people-first approach.

“Paul brings all of that and more: He is an excellent communicator, a visionary, and an inspirational leader of people who brings a wealth of strategic experience in running transformative technology businesses.”

Paul Stobart said: “I believe Zen is not just one of the UK’s most exciting businesses – but is also one of its most rewarding places to work too – which is why I couldn’t be happier about this new challenge.

“I’m coming on board at a critical stage of development – and we have big plans to shake up the market and drastically improve the standards UK consumers and businesses can expect from their internet supplier.”

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