Chief executive, Accumuli Security
What was the worst job you have ever had?
I don't look at things in that way. Looking back at my career there have been valuable lessons in every job that I have done, which have helped get me to where I am today. I've learnt as much from my mistakes as I've done from my successes and if at any point I have been unhappy or have been in a job with all the responsibility but no autonomy, I simply move on.
Which actor would you pick to play you in a movie of your life? I should say Bradley Cooper as that's my wife's celebrity crush but probably more likely someone like Liam Neeson. He is tall, professional and credible but not afraid to have some fun at the same time - from what I have seen on talk shows. If you ask the management team at Accumuli they would probably say Tom Cruise as I'm constantly saying "show me the money".
What do you do as your party trick? You can find me behind the bar making cocktails or doing the occasional windmill (an old-fashioned break dancing move).
What is your favourite chocolate bar? Toblerone.
What has been the highlight of your career to date? Accumuli, without question - the last two and a half years have been exciting, challenging and rewarding. I've overseen three acquisitions, one disposal, grown market capitalisation by almost £30m and the employee base from circa 50 to 110.
Has 2014 been a good, bad or ugly year? A good year - Accumuli continues to grow. We've continued to execute on our buy-and-build strategy which has led to good financial performance and a great culture; we've built our customer base to more than 700 and delivered some very exciting projects while ensuring that our employees feel valued and appreciated.
How would you explain the IT channel to a stranger without boring them to death? The IT channel is to technology what supermarkets are to household brands. They are a route to market and can be divided into those that concentrate on selling high-value but low-volume products and services or those that concentrate on selling on low-value but high-volume products and services. In some instances the IT channel can sell its own products and services just like supermarkets promote their own, and each member of the IT channel will target selling to a particular audience.
Aside from the channel, my dream career would be... a barrister. I would love the challenge and welcome the opportunity to construct a well thought-out argument based on facts while someone else was trying to pull it apart.
What major issues will the channel face in 2015? Balancing the ability to offer great service, good skilled people and a differentiated story with vendor margins and over-distributed environments.
