Our Senior Staff
Simon Alexander, Managing Director
Simon, having graduated from university with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies, started his career in the motor industry with Renault UK and then quickly made a move to telecoms. After two years of working for Mitel and three years at Securicor Telecoms, Simon set up Hotel Telephone Systems Ltd (HTS) in 1995. The core business of HTS was split between the distribution of guest room telephones and selling and installing Mitel telephone systems and this company ran successfully until Hotel Telephone Maintenance Ltd (HTM) was truly up and running, at which point HTS was closed.
Simon's interests include motor racing, cricket, motorboats and rugby, although the only active sport he participates in is racing his historic MGB in races around Europe.
Mick Hodgetts, Operations Director
With a background in accounting and extensive travel in Europe and India, Mick joined Strand Hotels and then started his hotel telecoms career, which has included working for Forte Hotels and Granada, both at a Hotel and Head Office level. Mick’s responsibilities spanned over 100 telephone system installations, plus many other related systems, including the Group reservations call centre.
In 1996, Mick left Granada to work as a consultant, specialising in Hotel Telecoms for five years. This work brought him closer to Simon, where they both worked together on HTS Mitel and other technology or infrastructure projects in the UK and Eire. Their relationship was formalised in 2002 with the formation of HTM, when Mick was appointed Operations Director.
Mick shares Simon's passion for motorsports but unlike Simon, will often be found often enjoying cycling or walking holidays in Europe and beyond.
Mike Vann, Technical Director
Mike started out with BT as an apprentice and rose through the ranks, finally working as a Project Manager on major customer back end systems. After leaving BT, he worked for four years at Mitel Networks and then had a brief spell at Clarent, prior to joining HTM as the Technical Director. Mike has played a crucial role in the development and capabilities of HTM, working closely with Mick, Simon and our technology partners to address the ongoing unified communication developments faced by our hotel clients. His Call Centre operations set-up, general IT, voice and data networking experience, enables HTM to offer remote hosting, integrated voice and data solutions, some of which require a completely new HTM R&D project, which Mike leads to ensure the technology and interfaces function properly.
Mike enjoys playing badminton and can often be found underwater, diving as much as possible in his spare time when the weather permits.
Derek Ellwood, Project Manager
Derek completed a four-year apprenticeship and studied to HND level, beginning his working life as a Mechanical Design Engineer for GEC Marconi and later Siemens. During the running down of a major project , Derek decided that he needed a new challenge, working briefly in technical sales, he joined TMS in 1995 as an Installation Engineer. After 3 years "on the road" he was promoted to Projects Manager where he was responsible for the production department and installations team. Derek was approached to join HTM soon after it was founded, specifically to support the development of the Meteor Call Accounting and Voicemail jointly with Imaginesoft in France. He has since expanded his areas of expertise to include Mitel systems, HSIA guest internet and other technologies used within hotels. Derek also has responsibility for the HTM Servicedesk, HSIA Helpdesk quality auditing and the Field Engineering team.
Derek's main interest outside of HTM is football and he takes an active part in a local girls' and ladies' football club, coaching one of the Under 12 teams. He is a qualified F.A. coach and is also a registered referee.