Toniqz founder Alan Buckett grew up in Henley, Oxfordshire, with two desires — to work in the media and to start his own business.

At the age of 12, he told his parents he no longer wanted pocket money, and intended to pay his own way through a variety of commercial ventures. Within a year, he’d generated five separate income streams, ranging from fixing broken tech to DJ-ing.

After completing his education, he joined the BBC, initially working in engineering before moving into production. Following this, Alan moved to Seltech International where his knack for finding solutions to complex problems helped the business to more than double its turnover in one year. Alan was then headhunted to set up and run a new European HQ for Leitch International.  

In his mid-20s, Alan co-founded Oxtel, a broadcast technology business that played a key role in enabling the transition to multi-channel digital TV and subsequently to high-definition television (HDTV). Oxtel was a genuine global leader and exported to destinations including Asia, the Middle East, the Americas, Australasia and Europe. 

With offices in Europe and the USA, rapidly growing profits, and a couple of business growth awards from Deloitte & Touche, Alan started receiving numerous approaches to sell Oxtel. Eventually, the right buyer came along in the shape of Miranda Technologies, Canada. Oxtel and Miranda shared a similar cultural approach, developing highly innovative, cutting-edge products and having complementary global offices. 

For a company that had been set up with a small personal investment and had never borrowed money, it was an exceptional achievement.

Business Mentorship

Toniqz was born out of Alan’s desire to use his extensive skills, experience and network — built through a lifetime combining commerce, technology and art — to help business owners who have a passion to grow their companies and also, themselves. 

Working with owners, directors and senior managers, Alan has advised on growth, finance, change management, media and technology. His mentorship has covered many sectors including bio-tech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), data-mashing, motor-racing, hospitality and marketing. 

Engagements have included turning around a failing company and rebuilding the relationship between co-owners of a once successful business before helping them grow it again prior to a successful sale.