Jonathan Hobday
Interim, fractional and advisory sales leader for B2B SaaS companies, their boards and their investors. Known as Jonny Rocket, the name of his sales training and speaking brand.
I have spent my career in enterprise software sales, most of it building or rebuilding sales teams. I have worked at founder stage, through venture funding, in the growth ahead of an IPO and through a trade sale.
I am a Chartered Engineer, trained in cybernetics and control engineering. I run sales teams the same way I was taught to build control systems: clear signals, fast feedback and no theatrical pipeline.
I also build AI prospecting agents and sales tooling myself, which helps when a board wants to know which parts of the AI story will change its sales model and which will not.
I trade under my own name, because in this work you are hiring a person. Engagements are contracted through Harrogate Capital Limited.
Qualifications, standing and roles.
- EducationBSc (Hons) Cybernetics and Control Engineering, University of Reading
- Professional standingChartered Engineer (CEng), Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI), Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET), Member of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT (MBCS)
- Sales methodTrained in Sandler, Force Management, MEDDPICC and SPIN
- Advisory rolesStrategic Advisor to SilkFlo and Sixley; Board Advisor to TalentMatched; Advisor to The Hub; Enterprise Advisor to Kippy.ai
- SpeakingLloyd's of London Insurance Technology Forum (2019), on AI and automation. Interviewed by AIIA (2018).
- LocationHertfordshire, with fast access to London. Previously SC cleared.
The seats I have sat in.
| Years | Role | Company |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Interim VP Sales, UK and Ireland, Africa and Israel | Diligent |
| 2025 to 2026 | Chief Revenue Officer (consulting engagement), now Board Advisor | TalentMatched |
| 2013 to 2025 | Global Sales and Marketing Director, first commercial hire | Cortex |
| 2012 to 2013 | VP EMEA and Managing Director UK | Astea International |
| 2010 to 2012 | EMEA VP Sales | Digital Fuel, acquired by VMware |
| 2009 to 2010 | Head of Financial Services EMEA | Intralinks |
| 2006 to 2009 | First sales hire, Global Sales Director | nlyte Software |
| 2002 to 2006 | RVP UK and Ireland | Computer Associates |
| 1999 to 2002 | Main board member | Olympic Group Services PLC |
| 1996 to 2002 | Co-founder | Chronicle Solutions |
Why Jonny Rocket?
Jonny Rocket is the name I am known by, and it is also the name of my sales training and speaking brand. The Sales Team Programme is delivered as Jonny Rocket: the same commercial standards, with more energy in the room.