Chamber Heroes – Simon Smyth from Ingenio Technologies

The Brighton Chamber relies on over 60 volunteers to help provide the events and services that we offer. Without them, we just couldn’t do it. This month’s Chamber hero is Simon Smyth from Ingenio Technologies. 

Please tell us a bit about your business, what you do and who you work with

We’re a B2B IT services company.  The core of the business is proactive maintenance for computers, servers and the network, but we also have a host of other services such as cloud services, telephony, broadband, backup and disaster recovery. We’ve got more, but I’ve probably lost you already!

We see ourselves as partners to our client's businesses.  We run their IT and they run their businesses. It’s amazing how many small business owners won’t outsource parts of their business to experts, instead struggling to wear too many hats.

What gives you the most satisfaction from your business?

I personally love the positive feedback when our team has completed a project. A recent client was so pleased with his leap into the 21st century he wrote to a business magazine (without any cajoling!) to profess our IT goodness!

What’s been the biggest challenge for you as a business?

Growing. To paraphrase Jim Collins, getting the right people on the bus but also on the right seats on the bus is a challenge.  We’ve got a great enthusiastic team to take us forward.

Who’s your business inspirational hero?

My current hero is Tony Hsieh from Zappos.com. Read or listen to his book Delivering Happiness to see (or hear) what I mean.  He’s got 1000 people on the right seats on the bus, amazing!

If you could invite anyone to speak at a Chamber event, who would it be?

I love hearing the stories of people who have made it against all odds or have a business that’s a bit quirky.  If you can arrange for Tony Hsieh, that would be great!

What’s been your favourite Chamber event this year?

I really loved the tour of the Theatre Royal and the networking that followed.

What is your favourite place in Brighton?

I don’t have a single favourite as such, but I really do love the seafront in the summer.  We recently ate at the Beach BBQ and that was like being on holiday; watching people milling around, eating good food all on the edge of the beach – brilliant. Unfortunately, they are only open in the summer but I know Kieron has designs for an all year round restaurant.

How hard do you find it is to achieve a healthy work/life balance?

Most of my work I enjoy, so although for some people it may look like I work too much, I’m happy with my balance.  I get to see my kids at night before they go to bed and I generally don’t work weekends, so I spend that with my wife and children.

When meeting you for the first time, what would you say people remember about you?

My Irish accent which has amalgamated into a kind of Irish-English hybrid accent!

What’s your favourite TV programme?

Of all time? Probably Dexter, though closely followed by Homeland.

What book are you currently reading?

How Google Works by Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg

What’s your dream holiday destination?

Somewhere warm, with water sports and fully stocked cocktail bar. Oh, and WiFi!

And finally: What’s the best thing about being a member of the Chamber?

It's great meeting the Chamber members and learning their stories of how they started and how they conduct business. Being Brighton, the businesses are very diverse and generally very interesting.

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk