10 In 10 – Chris Jones, SpeedQuizzing

Chris Jones, software developer at SpeedQuizzing, the York-based tech company that’s revolutionising the pub quiz with its industry-leading digital platform and app, is the latest regional business professional in the hot seat as The Yorkshire Times gives him just 10 minutes to answer our 10 burning questions...


What does a typical working day for you involve?

I’ve worked at SpeedQuizzing for over 10 years now and one of the things I love most about my role is that no two days are ever the same, every day is different. I tend to divide my time working between the office and home, so typically I’ll do three days from SpeedQuizzing’s head office in York and two at home. If I’m working from the office, I tend to arrive at around 10am and I’ll normally start the day with a catch-up with co-founders Alan or John to discuss what I’m working on and new software ideas. Everything we do is focussed on helping pubs to drive footfall, sales and fun through our games, and we’re constantly looking at how we can improve existing software and develop new features and games that bring something totally new and exciting to the pub games market. My days are dominated by turning exciting ideas into reality and we’ve always got at least two or three ideas we’re working on at any given time. We’re a small team of just 15 people, and we tend to hot-desk a lot, which I great as it gives me a real opportunity to see and hear more about all the other exciting stuff going on – and it’s always particularly interesting sitting with members of the question writing team as they tend to bounce ideas for new questions off you, which I love.

What makes your company special?

There’s a sense of real togetherness. We’re like a big family and that’s down to the vibe and culture John and Alan have created since day one. We have a team of really talented people who all bring something different to the mix, everyone knows what they’re doing and everyone is trusted to get on with it - and they do. It’s the ideal working model for me, it has a relaxed feel to it and there’s always a buzz running through the place, with members of the team gathered around a laptop working through a new idea or discussing thoughts on a potential quiz question. Quite a few members of the team host their own SpeedQuizzing events too, so there’s often plenty of chat around how they went. And I love the fact that as a company we never stand-still. We’re always working on new ideas, new thoughts on games and features, that take our offering to the next level and create the sort of buzz and excitement in pubs that we love to see.

Do you have any business rules that you swear by?

Never stop learning; always be willing to listen to feedback from your peers and take on board what they say. And always do your best and learn from your mistakes.

Do you dress up or down for work?

We have a relaxed dress-code at SpeedQuizzing, which I love, so you’ll always find me and the rest of the team in casual clothes. Casual wear is more comfortable than a suit and tie and allows people to express their personality more and just be themselves.

What piece of advice would you give your 18-year old self?

Find something you love doing and you’ll never work a day in your life. I enjoyed IT from a young age but initially decided to pursue a career outside of the sector. I hated it. I quickly realised my mistake and started a career in the tech industry, where I’ve been ever since. For me, my job is my hobby and I think if you can get to that place, it’s a great place to be.

What’s your favourite Yorkshire venue for an event or team away day?

There’s a cool bar/restaurant in York called 1331, where it’s almost become tradition for us to head to for team events. One of the team hosts a weekly quiz there and it’s like a home from home for us when we’re not working hard on new games and software features.

How do you prefer to travel for business?

I’m fortunate that I don’t really ever need to travel for business – my journey to the office in York is pretty much the biggest trip I ever have to make.

What’s your favourite place in Yorkshire to relax?

I live in Harrogate and love spending time in and around the town. It regularly features in the lists of the best places to live in the UK and it’s easy to see why; there are great amenities, plenty of green space and some lovely places to eat and drink, like Foundry Project.

Where is your favourite place to eat in Yorkshire, and what dish do you recommend?

You can’t beat The Travellers Rest in Harrogate. It’s a gem of a place, full of history, and it offers incredible views over Crimple Valley. Their jumbo fish and chips takes some beating and eating due to its quality and size.

What do you miss most about Yorkshire when you’re away?

The people. I grew up in London, a city that’s not known for its friendliness, where saying hello to a passing stranger would generate quizzical looks and stares. Yorkshire’s very different. I love how welcoming and friendly everyone is, the general atmosphere and the can-do attitude of the people who live here. It’s heart-warming and inspiring.