Managing director, Computacenter
Career so far
I am a 20-year veteran at Computacenter.
What was your first job and were you any good at it?
I was a waterskiing instructor in North Carolina and yes, I think so - well, before all the knee operations anyway!
Who was your top teenage pin-up?
Ladies' tennis player Chris Evert.
My colleagues won't know this about me but... before joining Computacenter, I was a salesman for a large bed company.
What is your favourite snack?
Haribos.
What has been your career high point to date?
It's been a fascinating journey so far, making it very difficult to single out one specific career high point. Winning deals is always a great memory for any team and the cornerstone of business growth - but that feeling is too short lived. Delighting customers is hugely satisfying. Playing a part in the evolution and longer term success of a company is extremely fulfilling (requiring a clear strategy, focused execution, and a bit of luck along the way). But winning isn't possible without great people, great teamwork and a ‘will do' culture. It's therefore working with great people, which is at the heart of all career high points to date - a dependence that will not change.
Has 2013 been good, bad or ugly?
Definitely another good year for Computacenter UK - with good growth across most parts of the business. Employee engagement is at an all-time high. Our solution and service capability and approach is highly relevant within our chosen markets (large corporate/enterprise private and public sector customers). And, most importantly, we remain highly focused on delivering long-term customer value in order to sustain high levels of customer advocacy.
What do you say when asked at a party what you do for a living?
Helping large corporate customers achieve their goals through investment in IT.
If I wasn't working in the channel I would probably be... Lying on a bed, in a wetsuit and waterskis, eating Haribos and watching Chris Evert play tennis.
What will be the channel's biggest challenge in 2014?
For the channel as a whole, adapting to the change in customer needs and buying behaviours - shifting from commodity hardware supply to becoming true IT enablement partners.
