John Crook has dedicated over 40 years to mastering and implementing the unconventional yet highly effective principles that drive exceptional, long-term business performance – the very principles at the heart of InverseMBA. His career, particularly his extensive tenure within the Constellation Software Inc. (CSI) ecosystem, provides a rare, practical insight into how contrarian strategies can build enduring, high-value enterprises.

John isn't just a theorist; he's an experienced leader who has lived and breathed the "Inverse MBA" approach. From 2013 onwards, he was deeply embedded in the Constellation Software model, a period during which he:

• Led as CEO for three Constellation Software portfolio businesses, experiencing firsthand the power of autonomous leadership, deep vertical focus, and the pursuit of sustainable, profitable growth within niche markets.
• Key role in strategic acquisitions and the integration of acquired businesses from 2018 to 2024, mastering the art of identifying and nurturing small, specialized software companies for permanent ownership.
• Coached and mentored numerous business leaders and CEOs across CSI's diverse portfolio, instilling the disciplined capital allocation, operational excellence, and long-term thinking that are hallmarks of the Constellation way.

This hands-on experience in a uniquely decentralized, high-performing environment has equipped John with a profound understanding of how to build resilient businesses. His journey from software engineering roots to executive leadership within one of the world's most successful (and unconventional) software conglomerates makes him a compelling guide to the "Inverse MBA."

Today, through InverseMBA, John shares these hard-won lessons, helping other leaders and organisations understand and potentially apply these powerful, contrarian principles to their own contexts. 

Key Milestones Reflecting an "Inverse MBA" Journey:

• Late 1970s: B.Sc. Physics – University of Sussex, England (Foundation in analytical thinking)
• 1980s - 2000s: Progressive leadership roles, including Software Engineer at British Telecom, Engineering Manager at Intel, and ascending to CEO at Softlink (Brisbane) – demonstrating a climb through operational and leadership ranks.
• 2013 - 2024: Decade of Immersion at Constellation Software Inc. (CSI)
• CEO, Softlink Information Centres
• CEO, Edumate
• CEO, Pegasus Systems
• Integrations / Group Leader / Strategic Role (2018-2024): Focused on M&A, portfolio company integration, and CEO mentorship, directly applying and refining "Inverse MBA" principles across numerous vertical market software businesses.
• AI strategy business coach. (2019 -2024).  Coached dozens of Constellation businesses for the upcoming AI disruption.
• 2016‑22: Stanford & Coursera ML specialisations (Continuous learning, bridging technical depth with strategic insight)