News | Wednesday, 26th July 2017
Technology entrepreneur Scott Fletcher receives honorary doctorate
Proud businessman says he is the first in his family to obtain a degree
A leading entrepreneur has been made an honorary Doctor of Business Administration by Manchester Metropolitan University.
Technology businessman Scott Fletcher MBE was given the doctorate in “recognition of his outstanding contribution to business and the North West region”.
Scott founded what is now his largest company, IT infrastructure specialist ANS, in his bedroom when he was just 22 years old.
The 44-year-old received his honorary degree at the Faculty of Business and Law graduation ceremony held on Tuesday, July 26, at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall.
Scott said: “It’s a great honour. Nobody in my family has ever had a degree so I’m the first in any generation of the Fletchers.”
Describing himself as “literally starting with nothing”, the entrepreneur distilled his journey from jobbing teenager to self-made businessman into guidance for the graduates in a down-to-earth and humorous speech.
He said: “You’ve worked hard over the last three years or so – and well done - but the real work starts now and you should look forward. There’s a lot more to do.
“Whenever an opportunity comes in front of you, take that chance. Just do it. Lots of people don’t take action.
“It’s about getting up every day and making a difference.
“It’s not The X Factor, not Love Island – it’s persistent hard work over a serious amount of time.”
The outspoken entrepreneur drew from personal experience to give the audience a number of valuable pieces of advice about how to make a success of their working lives.
He said: “Don’t always chase the money.
“Do what you love - I love doing business - and if you do what you love, success follows.
“Keep learning. Put customers first and look after your best resource: your people.
“Give people a chance. Have really great people around you.
“The people in this room are valuable to you: you’ve made friends, you’ve made a network and the people around you will be contacts for years to come.”
Scott encouraged the graduates to put their mind to achieving their goals, saying: “If a lad from Droylsden can do it, anybody can do it.”
Since its creation in 1996, Scott’s firm ANS has grown to become a leading cloud services provider in the UK, with nearly 300 employees and turnover of £60m.
The businessman now heads up companies with a total valuation in excess of £150m.
Scott is a widely known figure in the Manchester community thanks to his active charitable involvement, passion for apprenticeships and his participation on the Greater Manchester LEP.
His honour follows being made MBE for services to business and the community in the North West of England in 2014.
