MARK Fordyce is an entrepreneur whose expertise in media, technology and entertainment has helped to spawn a thriving economic platform for the city of York.

Thirty years in the field of music, media and technology has seen Mr Fordyce progress from being a professional musician signed to RCA records in the early 80’s, to running an internet consultancy for London banks, his own lifestyle website in the early 90’s and co-founding York Data Services in 2003.

York Data Services (YDS) is now one of the regions busiest business ISP’s and IT support companies, initially established in response to a niche within the industry for internet service provision within multiple-occupancy buildings such as science and business parks.

Since creation, YDS has expanded into offering Data Centre server hosting, business IT Support and VoIP telephony. As a result of significant investment in its infrastructure, YDS is now a tier 2 service provider alongside the likes of BT & Virgin.

YDS run its own private UK wide fibre network with four on-net data centre locations in York, Leeds and London and was the first internet service provider to offer businesses in York ultra fast fibre broadband and localised data storage solutions.

Mr Fordyce is also a director and co-founder of IXLeeds, a not for profit organisation dedicated to providing a non-London-based Internet Exchange point. He holds directorships in several northern based companies from high technology to music publishing and is board member of the newly formed Make it York company which is the city’s first Destination Management Organisation, formed to integrate work currently being delivered by Visit York, Science City York and York City Council’s events and festivals team.

Mr Fordyce is also a member of the Digital York board which oversees the digital strategy and delivery plan for the City of York Council.

In addition to this, Mr Fordyce is a founding trustee of Acts 435 an online charity for the Archbishop of York which allows people to donate directly online to people with specific needs.He also sits on the advisory boards of the Theatre Royal and the York & North York’s Chamber of Commerce Leadership Group.

What job would you like to have other than your own and why?

"I would love to own an iconic synthesiser company like Moog Music, which has changed modern music as we know it today. It would be nice to leave such a legacy as Dr Bob Moog, the founder of Moog clearly has."

Greatest achievement?

"My family, it’s my main driver for doing most of the things I do."

What makes you most angry?

"Bullying, dishonesty and unfairness."

Biggest mistake?

"I make mistakes all the time, which have helped shape the business decisions I make. Thankfully I have not made any big ones other than not following my gut instinct and investing in Apple shares in the late 90’s, a then relatively small investment would now be worth millions!"

What do you need to make life complete?

"A second home somewhere warm and not too far away by plane journey would be perfect."

Why do you make a difference?

"Because I care and believe in fairness and helping people be the best they can be."

Epitaph

"Hopefully he made a difference."