A Manchester man who runs a small to medium sized business (SMB) is recognised in the 2015 New Year’s Honours list.
Lawrence Jones (pictured) runs hosting and colocation firm UKFast and received an MBE for his services to the UK’s digital economy.
Jones said his company specialises in helping UK SMEs by providing small firms with high end tech that are normally affordable only to enterprises.
He said: “We, the SMEs, are the ones that are paying tax, not the big boys with the clever tax planning.”
Small companies drive the UK economy, he said. His 15-year old company turns over £30 million a year and has 200 employees.
He said: “As an entrepreneur you find yourself carrying on regardless, working your hardest, even when there are not many people who pat you on the back. I am tremendously proud to be British and to get an honour like this makes all of the hard work worthwhile.”
* Inventor Trevor Baylis has received a CBE in the Honours list. He invented the Baygen wind up radio, and received the award for services to intellectual property.
