Non-executive chairman, Bell Integration
Tell us something most people won't know about you
I relax by diving cave systems in Mexico.
What has been your highlight of 2018 so far?
I'm still enjoying it! Family and friends are all well and the business is growing well in geographies and areas we excel in. Also, the creation of a new startup, which is groundbreaking in the world of telcos.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
Ray Winstone.
Which tech firm (other than your own!) do you most admire?
Still Sun Microsystems for all it gave free to the world of development with Java and TCPIP, along with the creation of open systems and of course for allowing us to build a highly profitable business.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Good red wine.
What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018?
Anything that mentioned ‘4th generation' or ‘paradigm shifts'. More recently, ‘cloud economics' would have me leaving that meeting.
What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister?
Create a commercial arm to completely oversee and govern all civil service and all defence spend to reduce the waste that is so obviously prevalent.
What's the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel?
Cloud is ushering in enormous opportunities around business migrations and servicing; for the short to medium term it stands to remain that way.
What is your most treasured possession?
My wine collection, albeit a consumable one…
What do your family think you do all day?
Now that varies on the day but visibly it'll be either a good day at the office or a long lunch…
Who has been your mentor in business?
John Hitchcock is my Godfather. He created a string of companies when access to capital didn't exist, sold and retired to Guernsey where he lives now.
