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Look what they grew up to be

7 October 2006

Each year we profile 42 new people for the hallowed 42 under 42 hall of fame. All are ambitious, exciting, innovative and entrepreneureal. And all are under the age of 42. As the average age of our Rich 100 and Power 100 is 52, this is the next generation.

This year we probed our 42 on their childhood ambitions and words of wisdom they received over the years.

Lawrence Jones, 38

Managing Director, UKFast.Net

Lawrence and Gail Jones are the sole owners of UKFast.Net, which they set up in 1999 and have developed from a home office to a floor in Manchester's Abbey House with data centre's across the city.

In 2003 Jones created a research and development unit charged with finding innovative ways to build UKFast's network. In tandem, he made a decision to concentrate on business hosting and sideline the emerging broadband market.

Over the last two years he has refused no less than a dozen buyout offers, because he believes it's just the beginning for UKFast.

2005 saw a 151 per cent increase in the main area of business - dedicated server hosting.

The company, which has 30 employees across all areas, supplies to the UK's biggest names including Tesco. Industry recognition came in 2005 when the Internet Service Providers' Association named UKFast the Best hosting Provider ahead of Tiscali and a year on UKFast won again.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I wanted to play rugby for Wales. As a fly half, I loved the strategic game. Selectors saw me aged 13 but by the time I was 17, entrepreneureal spirit had taken over and I was chasing the next business opportunity.

What is the best piece of business advice you have ever received?

Always employ passionate people. There's nothing more important than keeping passion alive within a team.

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