B2B and distribution channel manager, Sony
Career so far I spent nine years in FMCG at Procter & Gamble mainly on beauty products in various roles - supply chain, sales and commercial - before moving to the world of consumer electronics.
What was your first job and were you any good at it? My first job was working on the shop floor in my local Marks & Spencer while doing my A-Levels, with 6am starts and returning to work after college in the evenings. I have a low patience threshold so stocking shelves was never going to be a long-term career path, but despite that I did it for four years off and on through my final years in education.
Who was your top teenage pin-up? I was obsessed with football so all of my posters were mainly footballers while I was a teenager.
My colleagues won't know this about me but... I used to build computers in my bedroom as a teenager. That geekiness has somewhat subsided but I long for the day I have my own fully automated and computerised home.
What is your favourite snack? A bacon sandwich and a cup of tea; fit for all times of the day.
What has been your career high point to date? I prefer to think of what highs are coming in the future. However, I love turning around businesses that have been in a bit of a slump - it's really fulfilling to see them return to growth.
Has 2013 been good, bad or ugly? Overall it has been pretty good. For Sony, we have been the fastest-growing brand in the channel and we have some really innovative new products that have clear commercial opportunities. There's a real swagger coming back to the brand and it's a great place to be.
What do you say when asked at a party what you do for a living? I work for Sony... and no I can't get you a Playstation 4.
If I wasn't working in the channel I would probably be... still selling beauty products.
What will be the channel's biggest challenge in 2014? As we start to ease out of a tough economic period for everyone, the challenge will be how easy it is for vendors, distributors, resellers and users to adjust to a different paradigm and start to focus growth on new added value technologies or services.
