Chief executive, Shift F7 Group
Career so far
I have been a buyer, account manager, PC builder, sales account manager, managing director and procurement contractor. I am now chief executive - whatever next?
What was your first job and were you any good at it?
Saturday work at the cheese counter at Littlewoods. I was a dab hand at judging the weight of cheese before using the wire cutter.
Who was your top teenage pin-up?
I wanted to be in Madness and played their records relentlessly.
My colleagues won't know this about me but...
I have worked as a forklift driver in an IKEA warehouse.
What is your favourite snack?
At the moment, brie, Branston pickle and a cracker (I am a real philistine by adding the Branston).
What has been your career high point to date?
Managing talented individuals working as a team that run both Shift F7 and Datashare Solutions.
Has 2013 been good, bad or ugly?
It's been awesome. I am working overseas and The Shift F7 Group is growing under great management.
What do you say when asked at a party what you do for a living?
I say I am in IT, and watch them glaze over, while quickly stating that I am a mere IT user before they want me to tell them how to fix something on their PC.
If I wasn't working in the channel I would probably be...
Flying a float plane or delivering expensive boats to people.
What will be the channel's biggest challenge in 2014?
Gaining new clients while deciphering the deluge of vendor information who all think their products are the best thing for (fill in the blank).