Ambitious Jones sets new goals for UKFast
ENTREPRENEUR Lawrence Jones is set to use his Internet hosting business UKFast as a springboard into new markets.
The Welshman – who has just celebrated 10 successful years with UKFast – is soon to launch Dragon Publishing – an online technology-related content provider.
He told TheBusinessDesk: “I see online publishing as a big opportunity. Anything where there is content delivery – news or reviews – I see that as a big source of traffic which I can monetise quite easily.”
He said Dragon would complement the core UKFast business.
“Content will be technology-related, it will be free and we’ll look to recruit early next year.”
Mr Jones, 41, who launched UKFast with his wife Gail in 1999, and has just hired a 100th employee for the Manchester company, has strong views on plans by some content providers – notably News International, owners of the Sun and Times – to charge Internet users for information.
“I fundamentally don’t think users are going to pay for content – it’s clutching at straws. I see the value of people coming to my website without them having to pay.
“I see there being huge growth in community-generated content – and that does not fit in with a paid for model”
Having reached £10m turnover after a decade in business, Mr Jones wants turnover to hit £100m in the next five years.
“We’ll look at acquisitions – but it’s not a priority. I think there’s enough business out there for us to reach our goals by growing organically.”
Mr Jones said UKFast planned to “invest significantly” in its IT infrastructure in the coming months, which would further under-pin his growth plans.
“Every year you have to re-invent yourself and set new goals.. There is always a new challenge, particularly as we’re no longer seen as a young up-start, but as a mature business.”
