Managing director, NCI Technologies
What is your greatest career move to date?
In 2004 I left my job as senior tech and founded NCI Technologies. Business rocketed and I ended up buying my previous employers' business soon after. I have achieved many firsts with my company gaining many awards along the way. Having built an amazing team I am really proud of what can be done despite so many others doubting the possibilities.
What is top of your bucket list?
Businesswise, I have taken my business from a small Cornish company to an industry respected business catering for global customers. I now want to expand our customer base globally. Personally, I do a lot of charity work and have travelled to help people in the Philippines, Falkland Islands and Haiti. I can't save the world but every time I do something, top of my bucket list is seeing the smiles on the people that can now help themselves after our intervention.
What has changed most since you started working in the channel?
The word ‘cloud' has been a significant disruptor. It has gone through so many guises and vendors found it a hard sell. But because someone decided to market the word ‘cloud', all of a sudden everyone is selling it, using it, wanting it (even if they don't understand what it is).
How do you think Brexit is going to affect the channel?
As usual the media is directing the focus on Brexit and not in a good way. Since the announcement very little has changed in my business but I can imagine any damage to vendors will ripple through MSPs and resellers. As yet, no negotiations have taken place so it is really difficult to plan for every eventuality.
What is your least favourite task during the working day?
Taking phone calls from people who pretend to know you. The ones who have done all they can to get through the firewall of receptionists only to try and sell you a product that you have no interest in.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
A Siberian tiger. Independent, powerful, intelligent yet gentle in its own environment.
If you won the big one on EuroMillions, what would you do?
For sure I would tell no-one. I would hate to be hounded by people I don't know begging for money, though a good proportion would go on charitable projects. Having been to help people who have nothing left after a natural disaster, I know the impact the right resources at the right time can have on their lives.
What is your worst habit?
Hmmm! I would ask my wife but I have to keep the word count down for this. I would say not tidying up after myself until the project is complete but she will probably have a whole list for you to read.
How has 2016 been for you?
I have loved 2016. I opted to travel less this year and focus on the projects we have going closer to home. Without travel time I got a lot more done. Installing servers in Australia from our offices in Cornwall saved four days flying there and back. But I do love travelling, so 2017 may see me in the airport more often.
If you didn't work in the IT channel, what would be your dream career?
I would have to be a warden in a conservation area. Each year I travel to the Falkland Islands to pay my respects to the men who didn't come back from the war in 1982 and spend time with my friend the warden of Volunteer Point. Waking up to the sound of many colonies of penguins heading out to sea bringing in food for their young is just breathtaking. I love animals of any kind so to get paid to care for them is the ultimate job.
What major issues will the channel face in 2017?
Which basket to put your eggs in. The biggest vendors are getting bigger and they have the money to give opportunities to the MSP and resellers, or to wipe them out. There are going to be some big vendors struggling in 2017. The media's interfering with Brexit, the new US president and Russia's continued threat against the EU may put the financials of the world in turmoil. Security is the buzzword and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Despite all of that, there are so many new opportunities in the channel for all of us. It is time to look forward with a smile while making sure you have your back covered.
