Angel Investor Chris Windley

Sharifah Hardie interviews Angel Investor Chris Windley. Son of an RAF Engineer who had disowned his father, Chris was brought up in a caravan in South Wales after his parents divorced. Leaving school at 15 for more interesting education from Phillip Jones, a local supermarket entrepreneur, Chris then joined the Royal Navy rising from seaman to Lieutenant Weapons Engineering Officer. He also raced yachts around the world.

Seeing a pre-ordained and frankly boring promotion path with limited earning potential Chris resigned and became a sales engineer with Ferranti Computer Systems until he correctly predicted it's demise.

After receiving U.S. style sales training from Memorex Telex Chris rose to Regional Sales Manager and then joined UK start-up Fibernet and another mentor, Charles MacGregor.

Chris started IT company LanSwitch in 1993 with £6,000 on credit cards and sold it in 2000 for £65 Million to Ronald S. Lauder ( Estee Lauders son ) Communications of New York and Bermuda.

Over the next 10 years Chris became a Business Angel investing in various High Tech and Hospitality businesses.Recently one of Chris's investments ( 5i Limited ) was sold to Impera Plc ( which renamed itself 365iT Plc ). Chris retains a significant shareholding in 365iT. Chris used the same sales process to achieve a successful outcome at the top and the bottom of the High Tech market.

Chris currently advises company's on achieving maximum sales value and also assists company's buying others and raising funds. He remains actively involved with a number of his investments.

Motto: Expect the best but plan for the worst. Visit Chris at wwww.mandarainmaker.co.uk/wordpress