Shropshire Star

Shropshire businessman relishing prospect of partnership with Chinese experts

For local businessman Karl Doody the trip by a delegation from Shropshire to China has been a chance to go into partnership with leading experts.

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The delegation, which arrived in Shanghai on Monday, has attended various talks with an aim to do business with Chinese companies.

Mr Doody's software firm, 27Stars, had humble beginnings in Welshpool, and he set up the company straight out of university.

Mr Doody, 30, founded the firm seven years ago, and now works with some of the biggest names in the industry.

Originally from Oswestry, he has travelled thousands of miles in the hope that his business will be able to provide software solutions for automobile companies.

He believes industry in China has greater prospects in comparison to the United Kingdom.

Mr Doody said: "It has always been my dream to be self employed and setting up the business was really tough.

"But I knew I wanted to do it and it's gone from strength too strength over the years.

"Now I work from Westminster and we do an awful lot of networking, but there is no denying that business is still struggling in the UK.

'But in China there are companies springing up all over the place and that's exactly what I needed, that 'get up and go' factor so my company can continue to succeed."

Mr Doody currently has an office in Welshpool and will open an office in Shrewsbury in the coming months.

He has worked with big brands such as Google and is currently developing software for for iPads.

He said: "I always wanted to be successful and I knew I had to work for it.

"Now I work with some really big names.

"Just the other week I was doing some work for Buckingham Palace.

"I'm not much of a car man but having been given a tour of the factories there is every chance that these vehicles will be using top of the range technology inside, so you've got Skype and your touch screen.

"That's where I come in.

"It may be early stages but it's not just Chinese companies who I am networking with,"

Mr Doody will spend the weekend in Shanghai visiting business colleagues, and believes the visit has been an unmissable opportunity.

He said: "We started off in Welshpool and I still have that office, but now I'm here in China.

"I get up and check work emails at about 5am.

"It's very intense here but the rewards for my company should be great."

  • See also: Chinese automotive firm hints at Shropshire move

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