Managing director, Total Computer Networks
Career so far
After university I had many character building factory jobs which mostly involved donning overalls and hair nets at ridiculously early times in the morning. I then joined an agency and was placed at Misco where I kind of fell into my career in IT - I was at Misco for five years until I left to expand my knowledge of the industry (and to secure a higher basic) and I joined ISC Networks for two years until I left to start Total Computers in 2003.
What was your first job and were you any good at it?
My first job was a summer job as a ride attendant at Wicksteed Park. I couldn't have been that good at it because I applied the following year for employment and was rejected.
Who was your top teenage pin-up?
Kylie Minogue. My parents still rib me because I wanted to move to Australia to become a dustman and marry Kylie. Someone told me that dustmen in Australia earned loads because the bins were upside down and I believed it.
My colleagues won't know this about me but...
I do have some hair under my baseball cap.
What is your favourite snack?
This one is hard for me as I'm quite a glutton and I snack all day long as I can't concentrate if I'm hungry. I'm extremely fond of crisps, particularly Beef Monster Munch and in the evening I love a good cheese board with an array of proper stinky cheeses.
What has been you career high point to date?
I'm probably at my career high point at this very moment, we are doing very well and expansion has continued and it is currently a very exciting time for the company.Also we are about to celebrate 10 years since opening our doors back in November 2003.
Has 2013 been good, bad or ugly?
Personally its been bad as I turned 40 which I didn't really enjoy much, but professionally 2013 has been a very good year, as we have continued our planned growth and are currently expanding our offices. We managed to surpass £20m in 2012 which was a massive achievement for us as a company and this year we will surpass £30m and we have had our best year to date by a long way.
What do you say when strangers at a social gathering ask you what you do for a living?
I sell IT equipment and they start to glaze over so I don't like to go anymore in-depth than that.
If I wasn't working in the channel I would probably be...
More youthful in appearance.
What will be the channel's biggest challenge in 2014?
Cutting through the new industry buzzwords from vendors.
