Words: Flo Balderson, Photography: Danny Evans
We sat down with the wonderful Ben Banim to discuss his exciting new venture in the world of data. It turns out data is a lot less boring than I previously thought. Ben is showing just how powerful data can be, not only for businesses of all sizes but also for building community, supporting local success, and driving growth across our island.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to start your own company?
My journey into data started almost by accident. In my very first job I began teaching myself how to code, experimenting with ways to make repetitive tasks easier. What began as curiosity quickly became a passion, and I found myself genuinely enjoying the process of piecing together systems that made people’s lives simpler. There’s a unique satisfaction in watching someone’s face light up when a job that once took hours suddenly runs seamlessly in the background.
Over the last ten years, I’ve worked as a Data Consultant with organisations around the world, helping them to streamline processes, unlock insight, and get more from their technology. But I felt a pull to do something closer to home and to take all of that experience and apply it in a way that allows me to build direct, lasting relationships. That’s why I created Akasha Consulting: a business that’s not only about solving technical problems, but about becoming part of Jersey’s digital future.
Why have you called your company “Akasha” and what does it mean?
Akasha is a Sanskrit word that translates to “ether” or “sky.” In spiritual traditions, it’s often used to describe the invisible medium that connects everything in existence. I chose the name because it captures how I see the role of data in a business. Data is rarely the thing that customers see or notice, but it’s the connective tissue that holds everything together, from operations to customer service to decision-making.
Just as Akasha represents the subtle field that links the universe, a clear data strategy links the many parts of a business so they can move in harmony. When the right foundations are in place, suddenly the organisation feels less fragmented and more like one living, breathing system. That interconnectedness is what I help businesses achieve.
Can you describe what your company does in simple terms for someone who isn’t familiar with data automation?
The simplest way to picture it is like plumbing in a house. You don’t think about the pipes behind the walls, but when they’re connected properly, water flows exactly where it needs to, when you need it. If those pipes are leaking or disconnected, everything becomes harder and more stressful.
My role is to design and connect the “pipes” of information in a business. Instead of data sitting in silos like in spreadsheets, inboxes, or separate systems I help it flow to the right place automatically. That might mean automating a time-consuming manual task, creating visibility across departments, or ensuring that information reaches customers more quickly. As my client, you don’t have to understand every technical detail, you just feel the difference when everything flows as it should.
In one sentence, tell us why every business should care about data automation
Because it gives people back their most valuable resource, Time, freeing them to focus on growth, creativity, and the human side of running their business.
What’s a myth about data automation you want to debunk?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that automation is only for huge corporations with big budgets. That’s simply not true. In fact, small and mid-sized businesses often see the fastest impact because even modest improvements can make a dramatic difference to their workload and profitability.
Another myth is that automation is complex and intimidating. My job is to translate the technical into the practical, so business owners don’t need to get lost in jargon or detail. What seems overwhelming at first often turns out to be surprisingly straightforward once we map it out together.
What do you love most about working with local businesses?
It’s all about the relationships. When I work with local businesses, I get to sit down face-to-face, understand the nuances of how they operate, and craft solutions that feel personal rather than “off the shelf.” There’s something very rewarding about helping someone build a digital backbone that quietly supports them in the background, letting them put more energy into their craft, their customers, and their community.
Because Jersey is a tight-knit place, you also see the ripple effect. When one business runs more smoothly, it strengthens the wider network they’re part of. Knowing that my work contributes not only to an individual company but to the vibrancy of the island’s economy is a big motivator.
How do you see your company contributing to the community over time?
I see Akasha Consulting as more than a service provider. I want it to be a participant in Jersey’s digital ecosystem. That means sharing knowledge, collaborating with other local firms, and supporting events that raise the island’s digital confidence.
On a practical level, that might be through workshops that help small businesses embrace technology without fear, or through partnerships that bring advanced tools within reach of organisations that might otherwise feel left behind. Long term, my vision is for Akasha to stand for simplicity, clarity, and connection, not just in data, but in the way it strengthens the fabric of our community.
Talk to Ben Banim at Akasha Consulting to see what he can do for your data. Email: Ben@akasha.je, Phone: +44 7700 336394.
