Career so far I founded LinuxIT 12 years ago with the aim of it becoming the UK’s leading authority in the application of Linux and open source by offering the complete, integrated technology and service solution. Today the business provides relevant impartial advice, proven software and award-winning service solutions to both established Linux and open source users, and those interested in embracing the unique benefits that flow from them. I am a well-known business, technical and academic speaker on Linux and open source and its effective and productive application for real-world IT management. I sit on the advisory board for The Economist’s annual Global Agenda Meeting. I am also an appointed member of Standard and Poor’s Panel of Industry Experts and a council member of the Gerson Lehrman.
If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be and what would you do? Paul Tucker, deputy governor, financial stability at the Bank of England, and I would address global financial credit.
Cloud – friend or foe? Friend.
Has 2011 been as bad as everyone said it would be? It has not been all doom and gloom for LinuxIT – it’s been spectacularly good with more than 100 per cent revenue growth.
What would you have as your last meal? Rare steak and a bottle of red wine.
Have any of your predictions come true this year? Yes. Open source software is starting to be adopted by the public sector and its benefits are starting to be felt.
What do you see as the channel’s biggest challenge in 2012? It’s still financial credit.
What is the best part of your day? Either early morning before anyone else is awake and I’m out running as the sun rises, or the evening meal with my family.
