“I want to start a movement which values transparency and radical collaboration to drive better business outcomes” With Andy Higgs, General Manager at Centrality

“Work like you don’t need the money, love like you have never been hurt and dance like nobody’s watching.” Our investors have backed us to realise our mission to create a fairer world. While this purpose fuels our passion, it is passion that will ultimately deliver our vision.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Andy Higgs, General Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Centrality, a blockchain venture studio that partners with leading innovators to create a peer-to-peer marketplace of applications. Andy has a 20-year track-record delivering growth, new business and performance improvement in commercial leadership roles across public and private sector organizations. His international experience includes Deloitte Consulting and MTV Networks Europe. He is the co-founder of Accelerate Sport (now CSM), developing global sport and entertainment rights based in London.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us the story of how you got involved in your industry?

Imade the foray into crypto through my interest in creating smarter cities. Prior to Centrality, I was focused on developing a smarter, data-driven city as I had been appointed to create a commercial partnership strategy for Auckland City Council. I was convinced that a better community and city experience could be created through technology. It was this vision that led me to cross paths with Centrality CEO Aaron McDonald, who showed me how blockchain technology could be the key to unlock smart cities. Since then, I’ve seen the potential of blockchain and crypto to achieve so much more.

Can you share a story of a time when things went south for you? What kept you going and helped you to overcome those times?

Bootstrapping the business in the first year was tough, with creditors blowing out and struggling to make payroll. We never stopped fighting and took every opportunity to keep the wolf from knocking down the door.

What are some things that you do on daily basis regardless of how busy you are?

I try and meditate or go to the gym every day. If I am at home, I take advantage of every opportunity to see my kids.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Work like you don’t need the money, love like you have never been hurt and dance like nobody’s watching.” Our investors have backed us to realise our mission to create a fairer world. While this purpose fuels our passion, it is passion that will ultimately deliver our vision.

What advice would you give to other leaders to help their employees to thrive?

Carrots work better than sticks, ensure expectations are clear, keep feedback positive and then let them get on with the job.

What advice would you give to other leaders about the best way to manage a large team?

Respect the structure, recognise accountabilities and reporting lines — then try not to interfere with other team members other than your direct reports and areas of accountability.

Can you share 5 ways that Regulation and Regtech can help stabilize the Crypto Economy?

Regulation can help stabilize the crypto economy by:

1) Providing greater certainty around securities law and tax treatment of crypto assets

2) Managing key issues and custody guidelines for greater consumer protection

3) Treating asset-backed tokens as any managed investment scheme/syndicated asset investment

4) Providing banks with clear and permissive guidelines around backing crypto businesses

5) Enabling peer-to-peer payments for all individuals and businesses that have completed customer due diligence (KYC AML) processes

What are the top concerns that crypto firms should be considering in order to have a competitive edge?

Crypto companies should be self-regulating to a higher standard than the incumbent banks and financial institutions.

Can you share examples of measures you take to prevent internal data breach?

Centrality has appointed a Chief Security Officer and created a framework around company cyber security policy. We also utilize two-factor authentication and make immediate software upgrades.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

A movement which values transparency and radical collaboration to drive better business outcomes, fairer value allocation and frictionless customer experiences.

Thank you so much for this. This was very enlightening!