Muttram, Steve

A-LIST 2005

Company: Portix Group (trading as Portable Add-ons in the UK).

Job title: Managing director.

Place of birth: Thatcham, Berkshire.

Year of birth: 1965.

Marital status: Married.

Career highlights: I have been in the IT industry for 20 years, starting life with a vendor of modems (Dowty Info Systems), when modems were the size of a house. I have spent 20 years in the channel in the communications and mobile area working for Computer 2000, Xircom and now co-owning Portix (in the process of re-branding from Portable Add-ons). It has been a great ride, which is far from over. I have had many highlights throughout my career but I guess the real one has to be leading the management buy-out [MBO] of Portable five years ago, struggling for a few years, and now driving and being part of a truly international mobile computing distributor on a healthy growth curve in a very competitive marketplace.

What do you love most about the IT industry? The technology, first and foremost. I am a complete gadget freak, so I love what I do and the devices we sell. The industry is also littered with great people and characters, which means there is rarely a dull moment.

What is the biggest technology trend you anticipate in the next 12 months? Everything going mobile, and more converged technology devices (I hope).

What is the one thing working in the technology industry has taught you? Trends and new technology are not always a sure fire bet.

Where do you think the channel will be in five years time? Having been in the channel for 20 years, although the technology has changed the key channel players are mainly the same, so my view is it won't be that different. It will still consist of box shifters and value-added players, with a bit more consolidation (as ever).

Which do you think is the most influential vendor in the UK? Microsoft.

Which do you think is the most influential ISV in the UK? Microsoft.

Which vendor's technology do you think has changed the face of IT? Intel is a large vendor that has certainly made many things possible. Then, of course, there is Cisco.

How do you unwind or spend your spare time? I have four beautiful children and a very beautiful and supportive wife, so when I am not working or traveling I love to spend time with them. However, I am also a huge Harley Davidson fan, so when the weather is good I find myself torn between the two loves in my life, the family and the bike.

Where is your favourite place to eat? The best steak I every had was at Gallagher's Steakhouse in Las Vegas.

What is your favourite drink? Fine English bitter.

What is your favourite TV programme or film? Top Gear. I also love cars.

Who is your favourite musician, band, artist or genre? Pink Floyd.

What is your favourite book? I have just read The Long Way Round by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman. It's just my sort of thing.

What career would you have pursued if you hadn't worked in the channel? I would have loved to be a pilot. I got my private pilot licence at 23 but it has now fallen by the wayside.

What has been your greatest business achievement? Probably the MBO of Portable and surviving the tough times.

What is your personal ambition? To ensure Portix is the number one mobile computing distributor in every country we operate in.