Jon Boswell – Co-Founder of Synnovate
We are thrilled to announce the launch of Synnovate. We sat down with Jon to ask him a few questions about his career path, aspirations for the new business, and what he’s looking forward to the most.
Hi Jon, Can you tell us about your career to date and what inspired you to start Synnovate?
I have over 10 years of experience working in the IT Services and Recruitment industries in both the UK and Ireland, across several industry verticals. My career began as a recruiter, where I quickly progressed to senior sales roles and eventually led large teams and business divisions specialising in IT Services. I gained exposure to a broad client portfolio ranging from small boutique customers to large global enterprises, delivering Infrastructure, Applications, and Digital Transformational services.
During the last few years, as COVID took hold, I took the opportunity to lead and build an Ireland business operation, which was a great experience and learning curve over the 3 years. Seeing the opportunities to do things slightly differently and add significant value to clients, it gave me the insight and urge to want to own and build something special myself.
Starting and owning my own business had always been a personal life goal, so it was time to take the leap and make it a reality by combining my experiences and knowledge in the IT Services and Recruitment industries. Seb Banks, a former colleague, good friend, and now business partner, was in a similar situation, so we decided it was time to bring Synnovate to market. Synnovate specialises in IT Services and Recruitment solutions, combining a sustainability vision to enable customers to achieve their Net Zero goals.
What Makes Synnovate Unique?
Incorporating the Latin word “Syn,” meaning “in company with,” and “Innovation,” Synnovate is an IT consultancy built on 25 years of in-depth recruitment and services knowledge, specialist expertise, and solid relationships. With the ability to provide bespoke solutions at scale, we take an agile approach and pride ourselves on partnership and value. We are leaders in AI, Data, Cloud & Digital Transformation, and Sustainability, enabling clients to utilize talent and technology strategies to achieve their Net Zero goals.
How Will Synnovate Differentiate Itself in the Industry?
We understand how important differentiation is in such a competitive industry, and we’re committed to keeping it simple but effective. The ability to leverage our extensive knowledge, network, and partners at speed and in a cost-effective way is a key advantage in adding value. We’re passionate about making a positive impact on the world we live in. As a result of combining the power of Talent, Technology, and Sustainability within our core domain expertise, Synnovate is uniquely positioned to add real value to any business.
What excites you most about the journey ahead?
There are many things that excite me about the journey ahead, but there are also many things that scare me. However, I believe that fear is the fuel that drives us forward. As with all newly founded IT services businesses, reputation, trust, and credibility are key. I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and learning more than ever as we build and scale our business globally. We have exciting plans for the future, both for those who join us on our journey internally and for the clients we serve. What excites me the most is the opportunity to bring our own style and ideas to the table to make things more interesting and enjoyable for everyone involved.
For me, success is all about doing the basics well. That means working hard, building strong relationships, and delivering on our promises. It’s not about having a flashy name, logo, or website. What truly build a successful business are the people involved and the core characteristics they possess, such as trust, personality, and exceptional customer service. These are the things that form the foundation of long-lasting relationships, and they will never change.
Finally, business aside, tell us a bit about you personally.
Outside of work, I am a work-hard, play-hard type of person. I love sports and fitness, and I enjoy trying out new restaurants (although choosing between Italian and Indian is always a tough decision!). While I used to be a big football fan, I have found that golf and the gym provide me with the perfect release from work-related stress. I am also a lifelong Arsenal fan.
I am a proud father to my newly born daughter, Isla, and a loving husband to my wife, Lucy. In my free time, I enjoy exploring my amateur interest in wine and food, always on the lookout for new and interesting recipes to try out. I also love going on summer beach holidays and have been fortunate enough to piggyback on a few cheap trips thanks to my wife’s job at BA. Giving back to society is important to me, and I recently ran the 2023 London Marathon with Seb to raise money for Children with Cancer UK. I am excited to participate in more testing activities to support charitable causes in the future.