Who is who
Who is Anthony Duncalf
Anthony Duncalf is the CEO of Switchboard and a purpose-led entrepreneur with a background in physics, finance, and AI. Known for his curiosity, resilience, and clarity of thought, he blends technical expertise with bold leadership—building in public, inspiring through action, and shaping the future of tech with intention and heart.
Who is Anthony Duncalf?
Anthony Duncalf is a visionary leader and founder, driven by relentless curiosity and a deep sense of purpose. Now CEO of Switchboard, his journey spans from dismantling electronics as a boy to leading with clarity in the world of AI and innovation — proving that ambition, heart, and grit still matter. “Learning often means breaking things down before you can build something better,” he says — a philosophy that defines both his leadership and life.
Learning to Break Things, in Order to Build
Before Anthony Duncalf ever wrote a line of code, or walked onto a trading floor, or stood at the helm of a tech startup, he was a boy in London taking apart his family’s household electronics. Not to destroy them, but to understand them. “Learning often means breaking things down before you can build something better,” he reflects — a simple yet powerful truth that continues to define his leadership, his mindset, and his mission.
From a childhood driven by curiosity to becoming CEO of Switchboard, Anthony’s path is not a tale of overnight success, but of pattern recognition, discipline, and purpose. His is a story that weaves through diverse industries — energy, finance, artificial intelligence — yet is grounded in an unwavering belief in the value of first principles, self-reliance, and resilience.
From Open Fields to Open Questions
Raised in London, Anthony’s earliest influences were grounded in simplicity and sincerity. His family didn’t have much materially, but they offered something far more powerful: unconditional love, and the freedom to explore the world with curiosity. Time spent outdoors — hiking, cycling, reflecting — became the quiet classroom where he first learned patience, presence, and perspective.
“There is something grounding about being outdoors that puts everything else into perspective,” he says. These early experiences would serve him well later in high-pressure roles, allowing him to stay anchored in complex, ever-changing environments.
Academically, he first pursued physics at the University of Bristol, before earning a place at Imperial College London for a Master’s in Computing. Along the way, he didn’t just study — he built. One of his proudest early achievements was founding the Clifton Hill House Alumni Association, which grew into a thriving network of 5,000+ members connecting alumni and students through mentorship and events. That initiative earned him the Bristol PLUS Outstanding Award, one of only two students honoured that year.
That initiative earned him the Bristol PLUS Outstanding Award, one of only two students honoured that year. These were the seeds of leadership — combining initiative, community-building, and vision — that would one day flourish into executive direction.
Data, Decisions, and the Founder’s Leap
Anthony’s early professional years were anything but linear. They were deliberately experimental.
He began with a spring analyst position at Macquarie Group, moving into data science, energy risk analysis, and financial trading. At Affinity (Shipping) LLP, Guinness Ventures, and Petroineos Trading Limited, he immersed himself in data, decision-making, and the intricacies of global markets. He built a toolkit — organisation, perseverance, and the ability to spot patterns others overlooked.
“Organisation is what keeps complexity manageable… pattern recognition turns data into insight… and perseverance creates a pro-failure attitude that fuels long-term success,” he explains. These weren’t just technical proficiencies — they were the psychological architecture behind how he operated, led teams, and built systems.
Eventually, he took the founder’s leap — launching Mirage, and later Switchboard, where he now serves as Chief Executive Officer. At Switchboard, he isn’t simply building a product — he’s building in public.
Building in Public, Leading with Intention
Anthony’s leadership journey isn’t marked by boardrooms or buzzwords, but by momentum, vulnerability, and clarity. In a rare move for a CEO, he chose to publicly document 31 days of building Switchboard on LinkedIn. His updates weren’t curated for perfection — they were raw, honest, and inspiring.
On Day 24, despite being under the weather, he pushed through morning meetups, then sought refuge at a friend’s office to code quietly through the day. That evening, he was back out networking. This isn’t hustle for its own sake — it’s the embodiment of discipline fused with self-awareness.
On Day 29, reflecting on Tech Week in San Francisco, he wrote:
“It was an intense and energising week, and I’m flying home feeling deeply grateful for the people I met and the momentum we’ve built.”
This openness has become part of his leadership brand. He doesn’t merely speak about resilience; he practices it. He doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out — he experiments, adapts, and shares the process as it unfolds.
The result? A growing network of collaborators, investors, and technologists aligned with Switchboard’s vision — and with Anthony’s quiet but magnetic ethos.
Vision for the Future: First Principles, Faith, and a Founder’s Fire
Anthony’s future isn’t mapped out in milestones — it’s guided by principles. Though originally determined to become a neurosurgeon, he changed course and explored physics, finance, and eventually entrepreneurship. That flexibility of mind is what gives him his edge.
“Looking back, it might appear to be a straight line,” he says, “but it felt more like a series of thoughtful experiments.”
He credits his Catholic faith as a quiet but constant compass — a source of inner strength and clarity. His favourite quote, attributed to St Ignatius of Loyola, reads:
“Hate what the world seeks and seek what it avoids.”
It’s a reminder that value is rarely found in what’s most visible — and that true leadership lies in humility, humanity, and hard choices.
Anthony doesn’t idolise public figures or billionaires. His inspiration comes from those who overcome odds — from his own parents, who gave more than they had, to under-acknowledged minds like Emmy Noether and Alan Turing, who changed the world without asking for credit.
As Switchboard continues to grow, it’s clear that Anthony isn’t building just another tech company. He’s building a culture — one that values curiosity over ego, long-term thinking over short-term gains, and real impact over noise.
Editorial Note: Anthony Duncalf’s journey is a blueprint for modern leadership — where grit meets grace, and vision meets values. In an age of rapid disruption and inflated egos, he reminds us that the most powerful force in business isn’t just intelligence or innovation — it’s intention.
Through his story, we are reminded that leadership isn’t found in titles — it’s found in how we build, how we serve, and how we show up every single day.
