Country chief executive, Ingram Micro UK&I
What achievement are you most proud of?
The transformation our UK business is experiencing through new offices, new people, new capabilities realised through several acquisitions and organic investment.
What has been the biggest change in the channel since you started working in it?
The rapid growth of cloud.
What three things could you not live without?
My family, my team and my mobile phone, in that order. My family has been unbelievably supportive moving to three countries in seven years, my team is amazing and my phone keeps me connected 24/7 which is pretty much a requirement these days.
What has been your most embarrassing moment so far?
Since arriving in the UK I have had several innocent North American sayings that didn't necessarily have the same meaning here in the UK. My team has had a good laugh at my expense and a couple of them were downright inappropriate!
What do your family think you do all day?
They know I run a big business here in the UK and are very proud of that. I try to explain the role of our business in the technology to my children; however, they just keep asking me to bring home video games.
Who is your ultimate celeb crush?
Kate Beckinsale.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Sweets.
What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister?
That would never happen - I'm a Canadian. However, I think there is lots of opportunity to improve healthcare.
Has 2015 been a good, bad or ugly year?
Good. It has been a challenging environment but we are committed to scaling our capabilities to transform the business and that is going well.
If you didn't work in the IT channel, what would you do?
I'd be buying and selling real estate.
What major issues will the channel face in 2016?
Ongoing pressures on systems and the volume business. It will not be good enough to simply rely on the things that have made you successful in the past. Embracing cloud, accelerating services, mobility, recycling and the Internet of Things will all be opportunities.
