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'''Piers Linney''' (born February 1971)<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006vq92/dragons/piers-linney</ref> is a [[United Kingdom|British]] businessman, who is the current Co-CEO of |
'''Piers Linney''' (born February 1971)<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006vq92/dragons/piers-linney</ref> is a [[United Kingdom|British]] businessman, who is the current Co-CEO of cloud-based IT business [[Outsourcery]], best known for being a 'dragon' on the [[BBC Two]] business series ''[[Dragons' Den (UK)|Dragons' Den]]''. |
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Linney appeared on the [[Channel 4]] series ''[[The Secret Millionaire]]'' in 2011, where he worked in [[Wolverhampton]] at a Young Offenders' institution. |
Linney also appeared on the [[Channel 4]] series ''[[The Secret Millionaire]]'' in 2011, where he worked in [[Wolverhampton]] at a Young Offenders' institution. |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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With both Barbadian and English heritage, |
With both Barbadian and English heritage, Linney grew up in a small mill town in [[Lancashire]], North-West England where he attended the local comprehensive school after failing his 11+. With aspirations of being his own boss even at the age of thirteen, Linney cut out his local newsagent by going direct to the wholesaler to start his own paper round, planting his entrepreneurial seed by building it up and then selling it off.<ref>{{cite web|author=Daisy Buchanan |url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/dragons-den-piers-linney-10-2145466 |title=Dragon's Den Piers Linney: 10 things you need to know about new Dragon - Mirror Online |publisher=Mirror.co.uk |date=2013-08-11 |accessdate=2013-08-18}}</ref> |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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Although |
Although Linney is usually described as an entrepreneur, he has a professional background in the City. After studying Accounting and Law at The [[University of Manchester]], he qualified as a solicitor in the City with [[SJ Berwin]]. He left law to join the UK investment banking team at [[Barclays de Zoete Wedd]], where he met Simon Newton in 1997, followed by time spent working at [[Credit Suisse]], where he specialised in mergers and acquisitions and leveraged buyouts. Linney left banking in 2000 to start an internet business and has since been involved in a number of technology, media and telecommunications businesses as a founder, director, investor and adviser. After becoming the CEO of a corporate finance boutique, Linney became a partner in an alternative investment fund providing structured debt and equity financing to small cap public companies. |
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In 2007, |
In 2007, Linney led, in alliance with his friend and business partner, Simon Newton, the buyout of Genesis Communications,<ref>{{cite web|author=Marcus Leach |url=http://www.freshbusinessthinking.com/business_advice.php?CID=16&AID=11649&PGID=2#.U0V1P1dkz5N |title=Who is Piers Linney? - Fresh Business Thinking website |publisher=www.freshbusinessthinking.com |date=2011-03-11 |accessdate=2014-04-09}}</ref> a mobile voice and data reseller company. In 2009 Genesis acquires [[Thus]] Mobile from Cable&Wireless and rebranded as [[Outsourcery]] to focus on the cloud IT and communications opportunity. Between 2011 and 2012, the mobile business was sold<ref>{{cite web|author=James Graham |url=http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/510813-outsourcery-sells-mobile-business.html |title=Outsourcery sells mobile business - The Business Desk website |publisher=www.thebusinessdesk.com |date=2013-09-03 |accessdate=2014-04-09}}</ref> to create a pure-play cloud business, which was funded by the founders and private investors. |
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[[Outsourcery]] was floated on the [[Alternative Investment Market]] (AIM) in 2013 raising £ |
[[Outsourcery]] was floated on the [[Alternative Investment Market]] (AIM) in 2013 raising £13 million.<ref>{{cite web|author=Doug Woodburn |url=http://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/news/2269894/piers-linney-if-youre-not-gunning-for-gbp100m-get-out-of-cloud |title=Piers Linney: If you're not gunning for £100m, get out of cloud - CRN website |publisher=www.channelweb.co.uk |date=2011-04-22 |accessdate=2014-04-09}}</ref> The business is now regarded as one of Microsoft’s leading Cloud Services Providers after it was selected as one of only five UK Cloud OS Network partners.<ref>{{cite web|author=Outsourcery |url=http://www.outsourcery.co.uk/News/PR/Pages/Outsourcery-enters-microsoft-cloud-os-network.aspx |title=Piers Linney: Outsourcery enters new alliance with Microsoft – by joining the Microsoft Cloud OS Network - Outsourcery website |publisher=www.outsourcery.co.uk |date=2013-12-12 |accessdate=2014-04-09}}</ref> |
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Linney was a founding member of the Governance Board of the UK’s [http://www.cloudindustryforum.org Cloud Industry Forum]<ref>{{cite web|author=Cloud Industry Forum |url=http://cloudindustryforum.org/governance/governance-board-members/98-piers-linney-outsourcery |title= Piers Linney - Cloud Industry Forum website|publisher=www.cloudindustryforum.org |date=2012-09-08 |accessdate=2014-04-09}}</ref> and regularly appears in the media to discuss the benefits of cloud computing. In 2013, Linney was recognised in the [[J.P. Morgan & Co.|JP Morgan]] sponsored [http://www.powerful-media.com Power List 2013] as one of the top 100 most influential black Britons.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kaya Burgess |url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/tv-radio/article3711085.ece |title=Piers Linney, Dragons’ Den latest, flies in from the cloud - The Times website |publisher=www.thetimes.co.uk |date=2013-03-12 |accessdate=2014-04-09}}</ref> |
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==''Dragons' Den''== |
==''Dragons' Den''== |
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{{Main|Dragons' Den (UK)|l1=Dragons' Den}} |
{{Main|Dragons' Den (UK)|l1=Dragons' Den}} |
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In 2013, Linney joined the panel for Series 11 of BBC |
In 2013, Linney joined the panel for Series 11 of the [[BBC Two]] television series Dragons' Den, along with new dragon [[Kelly Hoppen]]. In April 2014, Series 11 of Dragons’ Den was nominated for a [[BAFTA]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Press Association |url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/apr/07/gogglebox-bafta-channel-4 |title=Gogglebox in line for double Bafta win - The Guardian website |publisher=www.theguardian.com |date=2014-04-07 |accessdate=2014-04-09}}</ref> Linney has since confirmed his participation in Series 12 of Dragons' Den. |
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=== |
===Dragons’ Den Deals=== |
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*Skinny Tan - £60,000 for 10% of the business ( |
*Skinny Tan - £60,000 for 10% of the business (joint investment with [[Kelly Hoppen]]) |
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*Mainstage Travel - £100,000 for 15% of the business |
*Mainstage Travel - £100,000 for 15% of the business |
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*Vini & Bal's Rustic Indian - £50,000 for 30% of the business |
*Vini & Bal's Rustic Indian - £50,000 for 30% of the business |
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==Trustee== |
==Trustee== |
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As an extension to his interest in business, |
As an extension to his interest in business, Linney is a founding Trustee of the [http://powerlistfoundation.org.uk/ Powerlist Foundation]<ref>{{cite web|author=Powerlist Foundation |url=http://powerlistfoundation.org.uk/about-us/trustees/item/36-piers-linney |title=Piers Linney Trustee - Powerlist Foundation website |publisher=Powerlist Foundation |date=2011-11-13 |accessdate=2014-04-09}}</ref> which aims to identify and support tomorrow’s leaders irrespective of their race, gender, faith or ethnicity. He is also a trustee of the innovation charity with a £300 million endowment, [[NESTA]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Nesta |url=http://www.nesta.org.uk/users/piers-linney |title=Piers Linney Trustee - Nesta website |publisher=Nesta |date=2014-01-24 |accessdate=2014-04-09}}</ref> |
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Linney is involved with [[Virgin Unite]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Natalie Graham |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e09bbd0a-220a-11e3-bb64-00144feab7de.html#axzz2yPBCXTqu |title=Piers Linney: I won’t take no for an answer - FT Online |publisher=FT.co.uk |date=2013-09-27 |accessdate=2014-04-09}}</ref> and a range of other charities as a donor or patron. Linney is also in the process of establishing his own charity, Work Insights, to provide equal opportunities for work place insights. Linney believes in ’do well, do good’ and in the power of business as a positive force for change. |
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==Interests and Personal Life== |
==Interests and Personal Life== |
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Linney has two children Tiger and Electra and is married to Tara. Linney is a keen cycling and mountain-biking enthusiast. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 09:27, 3 July 2014
Piers Linney | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 1971 |
| Education | The University of Manchester |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman Television personality |
| Known for | Dragons' Den The Secret Millionaire |
| Spouse | Tara Linney |
| Children | Tiger and Electra |
| Website | http://pierslinney.com |
Piers Linney (born February 1971)[1] is a British businessman, who is the current Co-CEO of cloud-based IT business Outsourcery, best known for being a 'dragon' on the BBC Two business series Dragons' Den.
Linney also appeared on the Channel 4 series The Secret Millionaire in 2011, where he worked in Wolverhampton at a Young Offenders' institution.
Early life
With both Barbadian and English heritage, Linney grew up in a small mill town in Lancashire, North-West England where he attended the local comprehensive school after failing his 11+. With aspirations of being his own boss even at the age of thirteen, Linney cut out his local newsagent by going direct to the wholesaler to start his own paper round, planting his entrepreneurial seed by building it up and then selling it off.[2]
Career
Although Linney is usually described as an entrepreneur, he has a professional background in the City. After studying Accounting and Law at The University of Manchester, he qualified as a solicitor in the City with SJ Berwin. He left law to join the UK investment banking team at Barclays de Zoete Wedd, where he met Simon Newton in 1997, followed by time spent working at Credit Suisse, where he specialised in mergers and acquisitions and leveraged buyouts. Linney left banking in 2000 to start an internet business and has since been involved in a number of technology, media and telecommunications businesses as a founder, director, investor and adviser. After becoming the CEO of a corporate finance boutique, Linney became a partner in an alternative investment fund providing structured debt and equity financing to small cap public companies.
In 2007, Linney led, in alliance with his friend and business partner, Simon Newton, the buyout of Genesis Communications,[3] a mobile voice and data reseller company. In 2009 Genesis acquires Thus Mobile from Cable&Wireless and rebranded as Outsourcery to focus on the cloud IT and communications opportunity. Between 2011 and 2012, the mobile business was sold[4] to create a pure-play cloud business, which was funded by the founders and private investors.
Outsourcery was floated on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in 2013 raising £13 million.[5] The business is now regarded as one of Microsoft’s leading Cloud Services Providers after it was selected as one of only five UK Cloud OS Network partners.[6] Linney was a founding member of the Governance Board of the UK’s Cloud Industry Forum[7] and regularly appears in the media to discuss the benefits of cloud computing. In 2013, Linney was recognised in the JP Morgan sponsored Power List 2013 as one of the top 100 most influential black Britons.[8]
Dragons' Den
In 2013, Linney joined the panel for Series 11 of the BBC Two television series Dragons' Den, along with new dragon Kelly Hoppen. In April 2014, Series 11 of Dragons’ Den was nominated for a BAFTA.[9] Linney has since confirmed his participation in Series 12 of Dragons' Den.
Dragons’ Den Deals
- Skinny Tan - £60,000 for 10% of the business (joint investment with Kelly Hoppen)
- Mainstage Travel - £100,000 for 15% of the business
- Vini & Bal's Rustic Indian - £50,000 for 30% of the business
- energyEGG - £50,000 for 30% of the business
Trustee
As an extension to his interest in business, Linney is a founding Trustee of the Powerlist Foundation[10] which aims to identify and support tomorrow’s leaders irrespective of their race, gender, faith or ethnicity. He is also a trustee of the innovation charity with a £300 million endowment, NESTA.[11]
Linney is involved with Virgin Unite[12] and a range of other charities as a donor or patron. Linney is also in the process of establishing his own charity, Work Insights, to provide equal opportunities for work place insights. Linney believes in ’do well, do good’ and in the power of business as a positive force for change.
Interests and Personal Life
Linney has two children Tiger and Electra and is married to Tara. Linney is a keen cycling and mountain-biking enthusiast.
References
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006vq92/dragons/piers-linney
- ^ Daisy Buchanan (2013-08-11). "Dragon's Den Piers Linney: 10 things you need to know about new Dragon - Mirror Online". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
- ^ Marcus Leach (2011-03-11). "Who is Piers Linney? - Fresh Business Thinking website". www.freshbusinessthinking.com. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
- ^ James Graham (2013-09-03). "Outsourcery sells mobile business - The Business Desk website". www.thebusinessdesk.com. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
- ^ Doug Woodburn (2011-04-22). "Piers Linney: If you're not gunning for £100m, get out of cloud - CRN website". www.channelweb.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
- ^ Outsourcery (2013-12-12). "Piers Linney: Outsourcery enters new alliance with Microsoft – by joining the Microsoft Cloud OS Network - Outsourcery website". www.outsourcery.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
- ^ Cloud Industry Forum (2012-09-08). "Piers Linney - Cloud Industry Forum website". www.cloudindustryforum.org. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
- ^ Kaya Burgess (2013-03-12). "Piers Linney, Dragons' Den latest, flies in from the cloud - The Times website". www.thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
- ^ Press Association (2014-04-07). "Gogglebox in line for double Bafta win - The Guardian website". www.theguardian.com. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
- ^ Powerlist Foundation (2011-11-13). "Piers Linney Trustee - Powerlist Foundation website". Powerlist Foundation. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
- ^ Nesta (2014-01-24). "Piers Linney Trustee - Nesta website". Nesta. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
- ^ Natalie Graham (2013-09-27). "Piers Linney: I won't take no for an answer - FT Online". FT.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
External links
- Piers Linney – official site
- Piers Linney on Twitter