Dean Jones

Dean Jones (born May 10, 1978) is an United Kingdom, entrepreneur, project management expert, WordPress developer, virtual meeting consultant, and advocate for diversity and inclusivity in the construction industry. With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading figure in the field, demonstrating expertise in strategic leadership, budget management, stakeholder management, and team management. Jones has significantly contributed to the building industry, working on notable projects such as the Palace of Westminster security program and the Metropolitan Police estate renewal program.
He currently serves as founder and CEO of HostRooster, an online marketplace for freelance services, and Societal, a streetwear brand focused on designing fashion that raises awareness about sociopolitical matters.
Jones actively engages in initiatives promoting social causes, including raising awareness about organ donation and addressing racial disparities. With his professional and philanthropic endeavors, Jones has consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of individuals and communities.
==Early life and education==
Jones was born and raised in Islington, Angel neighborhood, located in the northern part of central London. He attended Hugh Myddelton Primary School for his primary education before graduating from Loxford High School in Essex. During his formative years, Jones developed a strong enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and project management.
Jones won the Barking and Dagenham Carnival poster design competition in 1995, a distinction presented by the Mayor of Essex. Additionally, he holds a BTEC National Diploma in Graphic Design from Barking & Dagenham College, which he obtained in 1996.
In 1996, Jones enrolled at Central Saint Martins College, where he completed a bachelor's degree in graphic design and later a master's degree in communication design in 2000. Furthermore, he obtained a postgraduate diploma in building surveying with distinction from LSBU in 2009. During his time at LSBU, he was honored with the RICS award, recognizing him as the top student in building surveying.
Jones holds a Certificate in Education from Barking & Dagenham College (2001–2003) and a City & Guilds certification in AutoCAD 2D Advanced and 3D from Southgate College (2002).
Throughout his academic journey, Jones encountered various challenges and experiences related to racial discrimination in the workplace. He has faced both overt and subtle forms of racism at all levels, which has impacted his schooling and career. Despite these obstacles, he has persevered and risen above the stereotypes often associated with being a person of color.
==Ancestry==
Jones, is a England-born individual. His father was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, while his mother, with the surname Issacs, has British roots. His parents were part of The Windrush Generation, immigrating from the Caribbean to Britain between 1948 and 1971. Jones's father descends from African escapees who formed their own settlements, blending with indigenous cultures like the Garifuna and Mascogos. Growing up in Jamaica, Jones developed a deep connection with its nature and wildlife, maintaining regular visits throughout his life.
==Career==
Jones possesses extensive industry experience spanning over 25 years, specializing as an architectural technologist, building surveyor, and project manager in renowned architectural, engineering, and construction firms. He serves as the CEO at Netooze, an infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) platform offering cloud computing services for developers, startups, and small and medium enterprises.
Jones embarked on his professional journey as a visiting design lecturer at Barking & Dagenham College from 1999 to 2003, sharing his expertise in design. From 2005 to 2007, he worked as a building surveyor at Scott Wilson, an AECOM company, further honing his skills in building surveying. In subsequent years, Jones held several positions, including building surveyor at Frankham Consultancy in London (2008), senior building surveyor at Scott Wilson (2008–2009), and primary and community project manager at the London Borough of Lambeth (2009–2010). During his tenure at the London Borough of Bexley as a regeneration project manager in 2010, he had the opportunity to meet then-Mayor Boris Johnson.
In 2010, Jones joined Circle Housing Group in London as a project manager, overseeing the successful implementation of the New Care Home Investment Program, valued at £250 million.
Transitioning to AECOM in 2015, Jones assumed the role of Associate Director, Programme Leadership. Notably, he managed and delivered high-profile projects such as the Palace of Westminster security program, the Mayor's Office for Policing & Crime (MOPAC) and Metropolitan Police Estates Capital Renewal Program, the Stag Brewery Residential Development, the London Clinic Rebuild Program, and the commercial office build at 20 Farringdon Street. His exceptional project management skills led to successful bid wins within the Metropolitan Police Framework.
Jones served as the Director of Strategic Projects at Cranfield University in Bedfordshire from October 2018 to June 2021. During his tenure, he oversaw significant strategic initiatives, including the development of MK:U, a groundbreaking New Model University for Milton Keynes with an estimated budget of £450 million. He also played a significant role in the Cranfield Defence & Security (CDS) Transformation Program, which sought to improve defense and security capabilities.
Jones also led the relocation of forensic science capabilities and teaching programs, establishing a world-class national center for forensic science. Notably, this relocation project achieved cost savings of 15% for the center, created job opportunities, introduced new learning spaces, and facilitated employment for learners.
Jones founded HostRooster in 2019, a freelance services marketplace catering to the diverse needs of freelancers and clients in the digital realm. Through HostRooster, Jones, as the CEO, demonstrates his expertise in project management by providing business coaching, PM manager coaching, WordPress development, and design, establishing himself as a globally recognized PM coach and WordPress development guru.
In addition to coaching, Jones serves as a virtual meeting consultant, facilitating seamless collaboration and efficient project execution for businesses. With 25 years of experience, he excels in strategic leadership, budget management, stakeholder management, and team management.
In 2021, Jones founded Societal, a streetwear brand that offers a range of garments focusing on sociopolitical matters. The brand's Black Lives Matter collection is the first of many upcoming collections that address social and environmental concerns.
Dean's professional accomplishments have garnered recognition and feature in publications such as Programming Insider, Telesup, ExpoTab, MinexWorld, Business to Mark, Vents Magazine, STHint, Waterways Magazine, Tech Magazines, Scoop Earth, Time Business News, and Tech Slash, where he shares his expertise in project management, business coaching, and web development.
==Philanthropy==
Jones actively participates in initiatives to create a positive societal impact. In 2014, he launched an organ donation project, sharing stories online to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation in saving lives. His dedication to this cause has received commendation and recognition from the Barking and Dagenham Post.
Jones is a strong advocate for diversity, anti-racism efforts, and racial equality in the construction industry. He actively addresses the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities and emphasizes the need for meaningful change and the elimination of racial disparities. His personal experiences and contributions to discussions on combating racial discrimination in the UK construction sector have been influential. His contributions and achievements have earned him recognition, including being featured on the "Black Excellence in the Building Industry" list by Arcas & Callisto, a London-based construction consultancy. Jones's inclusion on the list reflects his outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the building industry.
==Personal life==
Jones resides in the United Kingdom, is married, and has two children. In his free time, he engages in activities that foster relaxation and personal growth. He has a deep passion for travel and immersing himself in diverse cultures, which enriches his professional mindset and enhances his creative thinking ability when solving problems.
He is the second cousin of renowned reggae musician Gregory Anthony Issacs OD.
==References==
==External links==
* HostRooster Website
* Societal Website
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Category:1978 births
Category:British businesspeople
Category:British lawyers
Category:Project management
Category:Alumni of London South Bank University
Category:People from London
Category:British people