Children 3 daughters Website www.lawrencejones.eu | Years active 1999–present Name Lawrence Jones Spouse(s) Gail Jones Role Businessman | |
 | ||
Full Name Lawrence Nigel Jones Profiles | ||
Lawrence Nigel Jones MBE (born 1 August 1968) is a businessman and digital entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of the Manchester-based colocation, dedicated and cloud hosting provider, UKFast.
Contents
Early life
Lawrence Jones was born in Denbigh, North Wales. At 7 years old he won a scholarship to sing and study music at Durham Chorister School before attending Ruthin School School when he was 13 years old. At 16 years he left home and moved to Manchester.
Career
Jones formed UKFast with his partner Gail in 1999.
The hosting and colocation business operates a data centre complex in Trafford Park, Manchester, and has over 200 employees. In 2014, the firm's turnover was £28.9million.
In May 2010 Jones joined the board of the Manchester Camerata.
He owns Castell Cidwm estate near the village of Betws Garmon; it was originally owned by the Marquis of Anglesey, who used the Castell Cidwm country house as his hunting lodge.
Jones acquired Le Farinet Hotel in Swiss ski resort Verbier in September 2014
Honours and awards
In 2012, Jones was named Ernst & Young Technology Entrepreneur of the Year and, in 2013, he received 'Director of the Year for a Small to Medium Company' at the Institute of Directors' awards ceremony.
He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to the digital economy.
In July 2016 Jones received an honorary doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from Manchester Metropolitan University
Personal life
Lawrence and Gail Jones have four daughters. They live in Cheshire, England.