Michael Cox - Director, Fusion Spaces
Did you always envisage a career in the world of Technology?
For as long as I can remember I was fascinated by the music industry and the technology used for music production. I wanted to somehow be part of that scene and I have a memorable moment, at age eight or nine, I saw the Mike Oldfield album sleeve for Tubular Bells and heard the incredible sound he had created.
These experiences, and an enquiring mind meant I spent hours learning about things like multi-track recording, and to this day, I am not sure how I did this in the era before the world wide web!
What tips would you give to someone looking to work in the industry?
This is a formula for anyone who has ambition. Be persistent and surround yourself with people who support and believe in you.
If you feel a passion for something, it’s not so much hard work, as being prepared to dedicate time and effort to reaching your goal. And if a conventional route via education, for example, doesn’t work out for you, or you feel this isn’t how you learn best, look for other avenues and people who are willing to help you get to where you want to be.
Tell us about the most exciting project you are currently working on?
My work within the F1 industry spans 18 years and always excites me, it’s another childhood dream for me and I appreciate how fortunate I am do be able to work with F1 teams.
From a wellness technology perspective, I am excited at where we can take immersive wellness experiences, like Room to Breathe in the future and how I can work with my wife and co-founder, Jayne, to innovate technology and improve lives through our ideas and collaborations.
Tell us about your team?
My technical team is a group of highly skilled individuals that work to the same standards that I set for myself. I have known most of them for many years and they can be trusted to maintain a level of confidentiality that is required for so many of our projects.
It really is true that people are at the heart of what we do at Fusion Spaces, and this means that each member of our team is out their representing our business and us.
What are your long-term plans for the business?
Fusion Spaces was founded on the premise that it would provide security and purpose for us and eventually give back to those in need and genuinely improve lives, using our knowledge and the ever-changing technology that we have available to us.
We are making a name for ourselves and with the move to Northumberland we hope to realise these objectives and form partnerships that help us make a difference.
We have set our sights on innovating the healthcare sector and helping to reduce anticipatory anxiety, triggered by the need to wait for appointments or treatments, watch this space!
What’s your favourite piece of technology?
Technology is constantly changing and it’s obviously a significant part of my life and the business. So, I’ve considered this question more personally and the turntable is an obvious choice, but, and perhaps rather controversially, my favourite piece of technology is the Apple iPhone.
The iPhone was a game changer and it affected how we communicate, changing our lives forever and the rest really is history.
Do you have any heroes or mentors?
David Bowie, and numerous bands, musicians, producers, actors, directors, in fact anyone who is innovative, willing to take risks and not just follow the masses.
It blew my mind discovering that the famous crooner, Bing Crosby, funded the development of magnetic tape and revolutionised sound recording. Where would we be without this?
When not working how do you like to relax?
Well, it’s not a rock star lifestyle, and recovering from cancer in 2013 really did change my perspective on life. Perhaps like many of the people that have influenced me, particularly in the music business, once the excesses have finished, it’s about really living with gratitude and enjoying the simpler things in life.
For me this is connecting to nature and now we live near to the Northumberland coast, awe and wonder is literally on our doorstep. I also enjoy reading, mostly non-fiction, vegetarian cooking, listening to an eclectic mix of music, watching films and researching.
I have a daily walk with Jayne and our dogs, where we find we relax and sometimes have the best business ideas or solve a problem.
What’s your fondest career memory?
Captured perfectly by Keanu Reeves in the recent docu-series ‘The Impossible Formula 1 Story’. Being a part of history making and experiencing first hand an unforgettable sense of ‘can-do’ team spirit and loyalty, is right up there for me. But I’m choosing what happened before this as my fondest career memory as it was my first opportunity to work within the F1 industry for Honda Racing F1 Team.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve received?
Play to your strengths, thanks Richard!
www.fusion-spaces.com