Ajaz Ahmed, founder of Freeserve, to speak at Leeds
Ajaz Ahmed, the found of Freeserve - formerly the UK's largest internet service provider - is to give the FT Masterclass at Leeds on 20 July.
When buying his first computer from PC World in Leeds, Ajaz discovered that no one there could tell him how to get onto the internet. Consequently, in 1998 he persuaded Dixons to launch Freeserve.
After becoming the UK's largest ISP (in just three months), Freeserve quickly went public at £1.5bn and entered the FT100 soon after with a market cap of £9bn. Freeserve was later sold by Dixons to Wanadoo (a France Telecom company) for £1.6bn in 2001.
Ajaz was Business Development Director for Wanadoo until April 2001, when he left to pursue other business interests. He now holds several board positions and is actively involved with a number of investments. He also sits on the advisory board of the Business School at the University of Huddersfield and is a board member of Yorkshire Forward.
At the FT Masterclass, Ajaz will talk about how the application of fundamental business principles can lead to successes in new territories and how entrepreneurs are well placed to realise these opportunities even without any technology experience. He will also discuss how in just a few short years the internet has changed how we do business forever, and offer expert advice to all on how to stay ahead of this technological revolution.
The Masterclass takes place:
On: Wednesday 20 July
At: 6.15-8.30pm (including networking reception after the lecture)
In: Yorkshire Bank Lecture Theatre, Maurice Keyworth Building
If you would like to attend this event, please complete the online booking form. Please note that places are limited and offered on a first-come-first-served basis.
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