Steve Hull

10:49am Tuesday 6th February 2007

MILLIONAIRE Steve Hull, chief executive and major shareholder of the massively expanding Sawfish Software Ltd, takes a totally different attitude when it comes to his five racehorses and betting.

He says: "At the racecourse I'm an each-way man - pretty cautious. But in business I am a high risk-taker."

Either way, he has proved successful. On the racecourse that has meant having 28 winners in five years, including Sporting Gesture, on which Serena Brotherton scooped the Queen Mary's Cup at York in 2003.

In business it meant building up over 25 years Online Group Holdings after writing software on a home PC in his back bedroom, then selling it for millions of pounds to Alphameric Plc in January 2000.

Two years later he bought The Sales Consultancy from a friend and relaunched it as Sawfish Software, which has just announced doubled its numbers from ten to 25, and exceeded its half year sales target of £1million, boosted by its SalesFlow software solution.

Nowadays Steve lives in a magnificent house with 40-acre spread between Hovingham and Helmsley, and apart from Sawfish and horses has a growing portfolio of commercial properties in and around York.

That includes the 14-bedroom 18th century hotel and bistro, Four High Petergate (which he bought for son Lewis to manage), and commercial buildings, like the one in Cumberland Street which houses Silvano's restaurant.

But his beginnings were fairly basic, leaving school at 17 and spending a year working as an estimator for an insulation supply company, .

His interest in computers led him to Vickers, first at Leeds, later in Newcastle. Both his wife, Valerie, and her father, who was a supervisor, worked for Vickers at the same time. Apart from Lewis they have another son, Matthew, who now works at Sawfish, and daughter Virginia, who is now studying marketing and communications at Newcastle University.

When Steve finally launched Online Group Holdings, he made up for lost academic time, gaining a Masters Degree in Company Direction at Leeds Metropolitan University, It allowed him to build his successive businesses on a commitment to Customer Relationship Management (CRM), focusing products and solutions around customer needs.

Which job (other than your own) would you like to have and why?

Something medical - doctor, surgeon, nurse where you can make a real difference to peoples lives.

I really appreciate the role these people do, and nurses in particular should be paid a hell of a lot more money.

Compare their pay with Premiership footballers, then compare the difference they make to society.

Greatest achievement?

Apart from raising three beautiful children with my wife of 30 years, building Online Group Holdings Plc from writing software in my back bedroom to a company employing more than 120 people and subsequently selling in 2000 to secure my families financial future.

Biggest mistake?

Buying IT shares in 2000 just before the crash following the Lastminute. com debacle and losing my pension fund.

What makes you most angry?

Inheritance tax. Having paid tax all your life the Government has to take even more and stops a large amount of wealth being recirculated onto families where it would be put to better use.

What makes you laugh?

Life - you've got to always be positive and see the funny side and don't take things too seriously.

What fools do you suffer least?

Politicians and their deceit.

Whom do you most admire and why?

Tommy Harrrison, my father in law - 80 years old and still going strong. Worked all his life for Vickers building tanks for 50 years and subsequently got the MBE for services to defence. Salt of the earth and a rock for anyone who knows him.

What do you need to make life complete?

Nothing - I have a fantastic life and continue to do so.

Owning a winner of the Ebor or the John Smiths Magnet Cup would be a pinnacle.

How do you relax?

Mainly sporting - horse racing - I have a few horses with Mick Easterby, golf and tennis.

Why do you make a difference?

I focus on the important and I am a very positive person.

Name the organisation you see as the perfect one and why?

Don't think there is such a thing, but Bill Gates and Microsoft certainly know how to make money.

Favourite record?

Romeo & Juliet - Dire Straits. Love the lyrics.

Favourite holiday destination?

Hotel Albert - Chamonix: Summer or winter, top food and super location.

Your epitaph?

I told you I was ill.

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