Vice president, UK & Ireland, Arrow ECS
Career so far
I have spent 29 years in the IT industry working in a variety of roles for HP, NetApp and now at Arrow ECS. I started as a systems engineer in 1984 then onto major account selling at HP, built EMEA services at NetApp and then ran EMEA sales and channel. I have been UK vice president at Arrow since April this year.
What was your first job and were you any good at it?
A weekend job at Sainsbury's in Hemel Hempstead responsible for soap powders. I got £9.24 (I remember) for a Friday and Saturday shift. Performance? Exceptional. Best organised Persil boxes in the whole of West Hertfordshire.
Who was your top teenage pin-up?
At some point in the 1970s, the Charlie George poster came down and the Debbie Harry poster went up.
My colleagues won't know this about me but... I am an open book.
What is your favourite snack? Carrot slices with a reduced fat hummus (Mrs Thurlow may read this).
What has been your career high point to date?
There is no feeling to beat winning a deal, but in recent years I have loved helping people develop their skills and careers.
Has 2013 been good, bad or ugly?
Good. I joined Arrow in April, inherited a fantastic team and a vibrant business.
What do you say when asked at a party what you do for a living?
Me: "Hello, my name is Nick and I am in IT. This is my wife Alison, she is a musician." Them: "Really, what do you play?"
If I wasn't working in the channel I would probably be... a barrister. I accept the fact that I may never wear the Arsenal number 9 shirt.
What will be the channel's biggest challenge in 2014?
Recognising the fact that customers not only have a massive choice of what they buy to support their business, but an ever-increasing number of ways in which to buy it. 2014 will see the continued movement of services to the cloud, and the channel winners will be those that lead change rather than respond to it.
