Kilpatrick, Ian

A-LIST 2005

Company: Wick Hill Group.

Job title: Chairman.

Place of birth: Glasgow.

Year of birth: 1952.

Marital status: Married.

Career highlights: I am a qualified accountant, and my employment includes Texas Instruments, UK controller for Litton, before joining Wick Hill. Achievements: still enjoying work; being number one at what we do in the UK and Germany; lasting for more than 25 years.

What do you love most about the IT industry? The constant change, for good and ill, and the challenges. The teamwork and seeing people succeed and grow. Above all, the people. It's a great place to work.

Which company do you most admire or respect in the IT business? Apple, for marching to its own tune.

Which individual do you most admire or respect in the IT business? Tim Berners-Lee [inventor of the internet].

What is the biggest technology trend you anticipate in the next 12 months? The increased impact of wireless.

What is the one thing working in the technology industry has taught you? Don't expect technology to make things easier.

Where do you think the channel will be in five years time? Bigger and more niche. Consolidation haunts the corridors of existing channels, but new technologies throw up new niches.

Which do you think is the most influential vendor in the UK? Microsoft, for good and ill.

Which do you think is the most influential ISV in the UK? Many of the smaller ones.

Which vendor's technology do you think has changed the face of IT? No vendor. Tim Berners-Lee and the internet.

How do you unwind or spend your spare time? Trying to get fit and fast enough to race 800m again. Being with my wife, walking, not doing anything around the house or garden except cooking.

Where is your favourite place to eat? Most places in Paris.

What is your favourite drink? Wine, wine and more wine.

What is your favourite TV programme or film? One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Who is your favourite musician, band, artist or genre? Eric Clapton.

What is your favourite book? Winston Churchill's The Second World War.

What career would you have pursued if you hadn't worked in the channel? Accountancy, so I had a lucky escape.

What has been your greatest business achievement? Outliving 40 per cent of the Times 1000 from 1976.

What is your personal ambition? Enjoy every day.