Antony Chesworth
BSc Computer Science 01
Why did you chose your course and what did you gain from it? What was the most exciting or interesting part of it?
I chose the Computer Science course because I have always been interested in computing since a very early age and thought it was something I would enjoy doing.
The main things I gained from the course were from the final year coursework where I learnt how to do web programming and this eventually set me on my path to create my own web based company.
The most interesting part of the course was learning about how the various internet technologies work such as how JPEG compression and multimedia compression systems worked.
Why did you chose Lancaster University?
Because it was campus based, there was a real sense of community and it was easy to get to any part of the University, unlike those based in city centres.
The University also had nice accommodation such as Pendle College and really good facilities.
Did you make lots of friends at Lancaster?
I had a great time at University, meeting loads of people and had some really good close friends, many of which I'm still in contact with years and years later.
Can you comment on any work placements or company contact you had?
I didn't do any work placements however I did do my own freelance web design work for various local companies including the travel agents on the University campus. This work taught me how to deal with customers and how to manage my time more effectively.
What you are up to now in your career?
After leaving University I decided to setup my own company offering a web based ecommerce system called ekmPowershop.com that enables anyone to build their own online shop for just £19.99 per month. The system has been designed so that anyone can do it, no matter how much or little technical skills you have.
The company took a few years to get going but now its the biggest ecommerce provider in the UK and powers one out of every five online shops. The company is valued at over £20 million and we employ over 30 people and I am looking to keep expanding the business and move into Europe.
How did your course influence your career?
It re-enforced in me that the real potential of computing was on the Internet and that software based systems and programming languages like Java are not relevant if your wanting to earn serious money either as an employee or with your own development company.
Is there anything else you would like to mention?
University taught me more about life than anything else has, I learned more about myself and others that I could have anywhere else. I left being twice the person I was when I started and the relationships and experiences at unverisity have helped to steer me onto my present path which was once just a dream.