Nick has over 16 years of experience in leading global information technology teams and projects in the payments, cybersecurity, and cloud domains.
Why did you decide to undertake an MBA at the University of Liverpool Management School?
My MBA rekindled my passion for life-long learning. My MBA has become the bedrock of my approach to leadership, commerce, innovation and collaboration.
A key driver being a personal quest to solve the leadership conundrum, what is leadership? What are the behaviours of a good leader? How does a good leader foster a collaborative environment of innovation to build a successful commercial enterprise? To arrive at meaningful answers to these questions is one of my proudest achievements.
Can you give us a glimpse into your career journey to date?
My career in the US began when I was hired by the Geary Corporation of Pittsfield, Massachusetts as a software developer. Prior to that, after graduating from the City of London Polytechnic, I was a software developer for the Institution of Electrical Engineers and Incorporated Engineers (now the Institution of Engineering and Technology) developing their Training Access Point platform. TAP was an HM Government-funded initiative across the UK to establish agencies to deliver training information from PC kiosks.
At Geary Corp, I worked for GE Plastics for almost 5 years where I became a lead developer for GE Plastics’ Enterprise Resource Platform. I eventually joined Turner Broadcasting to help deliver their first Internet gaming platform, GameTap. I then joined Global Payments where I remained for 16 years. As a VP of Software Engineering, I drove the digital transformation of the enterprise, helping the company successfully scale from 1,800 employees to 27,000 employees operating in more than 30 countries by the time I left the company. I left Global Payments almost two years ago to pursue my interest in Web3 technologies after successfully delivering a blockchain platform at Global Payments.
Today, I have interests including developing my own AI device, working as part of an advisory to help startups obtain seed funding and as a fractional CTO with Web3 technology startups.
You recently attended an event in Athens with the University of Liverpool. What was the purpose of this visit, and can you provide some insights into the discussions that took place?
In March 2024, I received an email from the University inviting me to an alumni event in Athens, Georgia so I signed up, thinking this event could have some networking potential. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from attending. While I was at a farmers market, unbeknownst to me, Professor Beveridge had recognized me and was waiting to introduce herself to me.
Professor Beveridge introduced me to Dr Matt Greenhall, Joanne Fitton, Dr Mary Booth and Professor Godfrey. With no set agenda, we had a wide-ranging discussion predominately discussing Innovation at University of Liverpool, the current innovation within the city and collaboration opportunities with other innovation incubators. Our conversation also uncovered potential opportunities to leverage Web3 technologies within the extensive collections of the Harold Cohen and Sydney Jones Libraries. I was fascinated to learn that the University of Liverpool houses one of the largest science fiction collections in the world, alongside the University of Georgia's collection. Surely, given the popularity of science fiction, a treasure trove of possibilities?
How did your background in Atlanta's tech incubator community contribute to the discussions about innovation at the University of Liverpool?
My background of being involved with Atlanta's tech incubator community stretches back over 20 years. My first incubator engagement was during the first wave of the Web with the eHatchery incubator, a joint venture with private investors and Emory University. My responsibilities at eHatchery began by setting up the program management practices in the incubator before joining one of the startups, VetExchange. VetExchange was a groundbreaking cloud-hosted Software as a Service solution providing one-stop services for veterinary practices. Today, the incubator thrives as The Hatchery and supports student innovators and entrepreneurs from all Emory schools and covers all stages of innovation from inspiration and learning to projects and startups.
When working in a corporate environment I have always emphasised the importance of innovation, particularly through my board membership participation with the Technology Association of Georgia. I have also maintained a presence in the technology community frequently attending networking events including Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center, in particular their annual student-organized event, 404 DAO, which has become the premier Web3 event in Atlanta. Today I am a member of a US advisory team that helps startup companies prepare for their funding lifecycle starting from pre-seed funding, angel investing, private family offices and beyond up to Series A. In the UK I have maintained a relationship with Insight Partners, a global software investor partnering with high-growth technology, software, and Internet startups and ScaleUp companies.
What do you think are the potential benefits of establishing an independent innovation incubator in the University of Liverpool?
Establishing an incubator at the university can offer several benefits for various stakeholders, including students, faculty, entrepreneurs, and the university and not least the local economy. An incubator provides a supportive environment for students and faculty members to explore and pursue entrepreneurial ventures. It offers resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help aspiring entrepreneurs develop their ideas into viable businesses.
By bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, an incubator encourages innovation and collaboration. It creates opportunities for interdisciplinary research, knowledge exchange, and the cross-pollination of ideas, leading to the development of innovative solutions and products. University-based incubators also offer access to a wide range of resources and expertise, including funding opportunities, business support services, technical facilities, and mentorship programs. Entrepreneurs can leverage these resources to overcome common challenges faced by startups and accelerate their growth. Establishing an incubator at the University of Liverpool can serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth, while also providing valuable educational and research opportunities for students, faculty members and alumni.
What impressed you the most about the efforts being made to develop innovation at the University of Liverpool?
I cannot think of a more commendable goal than the vision presented in the strategic pillars framework that outlines the University’s four focus areas. The vision of the Place and Innovation pillar is to, ‘drive prosperity and wellbeing for the Liverpool City Region through excellence in research, innovation and partnership for local and global impact’.
In what ways do you think Southern culture complements the University of Liverpool's environment?
Community, family and friends, music, arts and sports, and a strong belief in academia, the respect held for the University of Liverpool for being ranked among the top universities globally along with its strong international reputation all contribute to identifying strengths to complement the relationship between Southern culture and the University of Liverpool. The South also commends itself for its politeness and tradition of hospitality which lends well to the ethos of the university. Building a better understanding of the contrasts and diversities between Southern culture and the environment at the University of Liverpool offers the opportunity to enrich academic experiences.