Today, we celebrate someone who believes so strongly in the power of the mainframe that he bought one.
Ron Argent
CEO, TES Enterprise Solutions and Cognition Foundry
England, United Kingdom
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View the entire 2025 Influential Mainframers group here.
After three decades at IBM, where he worked across engineering, design, and customer evangelism for IBM Z, Ron could’ve retired quietly. Instead, he launched into a second act with even more impact.
In 2012, he founded TES Enterprise Solutions, an IBM Gold Partner specializing in IBM System z and LinuxONE platforms. As co-founder of TES, Ron leads one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of IBM enterprise systems. His team credits him as the company’s soul—an engineer’s mind with an entrepreneur’s drive and a storyteller’s knack for translating complexity into vision. He has spoken at numerous events and been on the opening stage at IBM’s prestigious THINK (global) event. He has been instrumental in helping IBM secure a UN Sustainability Goal award.
In 2016, he invested his own savings to purchase an IBM Z14 and launch Cognition Foundry. His idea for the company was unconventional and simple: democratize the mainframe by offering easy and affordable access to enterprise-level computing. Through Cognition Foundry, Ron opened the door to startups with enterprise-level needs but limited resources.
Clients like Plastic Bank and Newlight Technologies used Cognition Foundry’s platform to win IBM Beacon Awards and build sustainable tech solutions. As of 2024, the company has expanded to four systems and continues to power a global innovation center.
“I didn’t build Cognition Foundry because I wanted to sell more systems,” Ron said. “I built it because I saw what cloud was missing—and what the mainframe already does brilliantly: security, scale, and efficiency.”
Ron’s dedication to the platform has lasted over 50 years, and he’s not done yet. In 2024 alone, he completed nine IBM certifications, adding to a career total of 19. His business acumen matches his technical chops as he invests in himself and others.
One nominator shared,“You will not find anyone else in the UK who talks as highly of the IBM Z platform.”
Is Ron the UK’s most vocal IBM Z evangelist? Probably. Is he the only CEO you’ll meet who owns and sells mainframes and personally writes code for them? Very likely. For Ron Argent, mainframes are legacy-making.
Influential Mainframer
Mainframe technology continues to evolve because of the dedicated professionals, educators, mentors, and innovators who drive it forward. We’re shining a spotlight on the individuals who are making waves—whether they’re advancing technology, mentoring new talent, sharing knowledge, championing modernization, or quietly keeping mission-critical systems running every day. These are the people shaping the future of mainframe. They come from all backgrounds and experience levels, but they all have one thing in common: they’re making a difference.
Check back daily as we reveal a new honoree. Read their stories, celebrate their impact, and be inspired.
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