David Hallam, Founder and Managing Director of Saxilby-based software specialist OrderWise recently headed back to the classroom to talk to students from the University of Lincoln.

David gave a lecture to forty-five second-year Innovation and Business Management MBA students who took time out from their studies to hear his story, which stems from humble beginnings in the early 90s when a lack of job opportunities meant writing his own code and creating the basis for what OrderWise is today.

David said: “This was a fantastic opportunity to speak to the next generation of business entrepreneurs. I hope that my story inspired them to continue on their own paths. The one thing I hope they took away with them was my sense of determination from my early days and the respect for people and their personalities that I try and bring to the surface in our everyday business.”

The lecture included how David manages a team of nearly 180 staff and touched on the future of the company, which is to include automation and robotics.

Professor David Charles, Deputy Head of the Business School, said: “It was great to have David come and speak to our students. OrderWise is a fascinating company and their success locally and David’s fresh take on business was why we invited him to speak. Our students appreciate any insight into startups, sustaining growth and decision-making and David gave excellent examples of all three.”

OrderWise has grown quickly over the past six years. Earlier in the year the firm completed a £1.3 million expansion, increasing its premises by 14,000 square feet in line with its ambitious growth plans.

Over the past 12 months it has also opened a staff café and invested in internal training and development.

To find out more about OrderWise, visit www.orderwise.co.uk