ENTREPRENEUR Dean Jackson whose innovative technology has helped some of the world’s greatest Olympians win gold medals is picking up a gong of his own after being awarded an MBE in the King’s birthday honours.
Dean is the founder and owner of global triathlon and cycling brand HUUB, whose pioneering products have been worn by athletes including the Brownlee Brothers, Sir Jason Kenney and David Weir as well as countless amateur competitors.
Now Dean, who left Noel Baker School with just two O-Levels, will be heading to Buckingham Palace later in the year to pick up an MBE for his services to business and innovation.
But even Dean admits to suffering from imposter syndrome, initially believing the letter informing him of the honour to be an elaborate hoax.
He said: “I found myself checking the phone number on the letter, I even sniffed the paper it was written on, because I couldn’t actually believe it could be true.
“I am incredibly proud, humbled and excited – I’m just a normal bloke from Derby who is working in his passion and loves making athletes faster and better. This is recognition for the amazingly smart people I get to work with every day, who help me create some exciting products.
“I have always wanted to make my family and parents proud and I know this will have surpassed all their expectations. My mother passed away last October, and I hope she’s looking down as gobsmacked as I am.”
Dean famously launched HUUB from his kitchen table creating pioneering technology to measure active drag and create performance-enhancing products for swimmers, runners and cyclists.
The company, which has a Queen’s Award for innovation and two patents for its technology, has collaborated with experts and world-class athletes to create products for sporting participants of all ages and abilities.
In addition, Dean has also worked closely with athletes including Olympic gold medalists Alex Yee, Georgia Taylor Brown and Jess Learmonth, two-times triathlon world champion Helen Jenkins and he has supported world record attempts by local athlete Leigh Timmis.
Throughout his career with HUUB, Dean has been a dedicated champion of Derby, helping to bring events to the city such as the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon and the annual Brownlee Foundation Triathlon which is enjoyed by 1,200 key stage two school pupils.
Dean also launched Derby City Cycling – the city’s first road cycling team – and the HUUB Wattbike squad made up of multiple national and world champions, world tour riders and UCI World Cup winners. With the rest of the HUUB team he has supported the Derby 10k and a host of comic and sport relief events.
He added: “It’s not bad for a lad from Alvaston – who probably had a collection of neurodiversities that allowed him to see the world in a more creative way.
“My younger self wouldn’t believe I’m getting an MBE and going to Buckingham Palace. I’d love to put my arm round that young lad and tell him that while he may not have a string of qualifications it’s how he sees and interprets the world that will make him shine.
“My family are the greatest believers in me and my customers are my greatest supporters. Thank you to my family and especially my wife Angela and the amazing team of people at Huub – none of this would have been possible without them.”
This story was written by Sarah Newton on behalf of HUUB. Would you like us to share your news? Contact us here.
