Chief executive, Intrinsic Technology
What was your first job and were you any good at it?
Of course I was. My first job was to secure a place on a graduate sales training scheme at Digital Equipment Company. Winning a space was one thing and then getting sponsorship for a full-time sales job was another over an 18-month period. It put me on the first and right flight path of my career.
Who was your top teenage pin-up?
Madness, The Jam, Liverpool FC. Take your pick. I still love these bands and am still an avid Liverpool supporter, albeit the last 20 years has been an endurance test.
My colleagues won’t know this about me but…
my two dogs Buddy and Wilson, both miniature schnauzers, are my best friends. They give so much love, fun and are loyal. I just love spoiling them. I am also a paddle board fanatic. I love going out on the waters whenever I get the chance.
What is your favourite snack?
Parfait – granola, low fat Greek yogurt and fresh fruit. Homemade by me. It has everything you need to keep you going.
What has been your career high point to date?
Running a UK software company, spearheading the global expansion and shift towards being a US-based business in New York, while raising a significant investment from Goldman Sachs (the second largest to Facebook), and growing the company from $25m to $100m and 160 people to 500.
Has 2013 been good, bad or ugly?
It’s been a good, bad and ugly year – lots of change, lots of opportunity to do the things I’ve not been able to do for a while, relocating back to UK shores from the East Coast, and joining Intrinsic – a company with a great future at an exciting time. As with life, things come in threes, so it’s been good, bad and ugly at times, but we are winning and smiling. That’s what counts.
What do you say when asked at a party what you do for a living?
I do a bit of everything. If I wasn’t working in the channel I would probably be… a property developer or at least a suitable side-kick to my wife, the property developer pro. I would love to be a professional golfer but I fear my game is not quite up to world-class standard.
What will be the channel’s biggest challenge in 2014?
Adapting to the constant change from partners and vendors to ensure we continue to help our customers and grow our business. In short, making the business relevant to the ever-changing, ever-evolving technology and grabbing this great opportunity. Making money and having fun on the way too always helps.
