Purchasing director, Micro Peripherals
Career so far Prior to my present position, I was purchasing and marketing director (2010-2012), vendor and marketing director (2007-2010), commercial director (2004-2007), and purchasing and product marketing director (1996-2004).
If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be? I had wanted to be the president of the bank who holds my mortgage, but that was too easy, so at the end of my week, Ed Miliband would be starting his new job as an estate agent.
What will next year’s most overhyped industry buzzword be? I’m hoping “consignment” followed closely by rebate, but it’s mostly likely to be “de-committed”.
Has 2012 been a good, bad or ugly year? It has been harder than previous years. The business is still out there, but at a price. The euro weakening has not been overly helpful (except for my family holiday to France). Expectation back at the ranch has not been reduced in light of any worldwide or European financial crisis. Tablet sales and the launch of Windows 8 will do their bit, otherwise it’s business as usual.
What would you have as your last meal? Anything as long as my wife and children are there to cook it. (But I am partial to Italian.)
What keeps you awake at night? The sound of my breathing apparatus (Sleep Apnea) – other than that my clear conscience means I sleep like a baby.
What piece of technology could you not be without? The Sky remote.
Have any of your predictions come true this year? I’m still waiting for Apple’s market share of tablet sales to fall below 60 per cent. But the one to watch is whether Astro turf will be the “new” grass… don’t knock it!
What is the best partner/customer trip you have ever been on? Thank you, Brother: Concorde to New York. Two days in the Big Apple and then first-class back on a Jumbo – it was back in 1994, when the channel had money.
What do you see as the channel’s biggest challenge in 2013? People – and convincing B2B customers that Windows 8 is good for the professional market.
