German identity verification firm IDnow launched in the UK in 2019.
The IDnow platform offers a range of identity verification and document signing solutions and is used by over 900 customers including Canopy, MyCDD and Entain.
With offices in both Manchester and London in the UK, the company recently partnered with Interpol to deliver training programmes to law enforcement and immigration departments.
Roger Redfearn-Tyrzyk, who is Director UK/I & Global Gaming at IDnow, is based at the firm’s Manchester office.
He has a broad range of experience, including building and developing teams for SaaS companies, and current remit includes being responsible for marketing, UK general operations and working with and acquiring new channel partners.
He shared some of the lessons he’s learnt…
Which single daily habit or practice could you not do without?
Getting a coffee from my favourite coffee shop in Glossop.
What’s been your luckiest break?
Moving from Germany to Manchester – I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome so far and there is more to come!
What’s your best failure?
There isn’t a single one to highlight but I do enjoy every mistake I make because that’s how I grow as a person and get better in various ways. To some extent I think this is the most exciting part in business because if you learn from those you will genuinely a lot further than playing on the safe side. Sometimes it’s good to go all in rather than folding your hand.
What is the best investment you’ve ever made, either financial or time?
I bought Cardano (crypto) in very early stages for under 10p and sold at £1.59.
Which book would you recommend others to read and why?
S.U.M.O. (Shut up, move on) – this book really helped me to understand on what I need to focus on to get through challenges and past big hurdles. This book also encourages you to tackle difficult things head on.
What one piece of advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Do everything exactly as you have done – no regrets.
Who or what has had the single biggest influence on your working life?
My daughter. When she was born it gave my life a new purpose and willingness to do well and so she can have a better childhood than me. Also that she can do whatever she likes education wise later on, to be able to support her to do well in life and support her in general so she can be the best that she could possibly be.
Tell us something about you that would surprise people.
I am a beatboxer and have been doing this for over 15 years now. In my time I actually did win a competition or two.
How will the COVID crisis change work for the better?
I think a lot of companies had to realise how valuable employees really are and if you don’t care for/about them they will find an employer that is flexible, offers great perks and supports people on a personal as well as business level.
What does success look like to you?
To me it’s very important that my team is successful as a whole. I genuinely enjoy it a lot more when everyone involved is being awarded for their hard work, it creates a very unique team spirit that usually lasts very long. It takes a lot more to get the whole group involved than doing it just for yourself. Winning as a team makes every success sweeter.
