Lawton, Paddy

A-LIST 2005

Company: Digital Union/ Verticalnet.

Job title: Managing director

Place of birth: Chester.

Year of birth: 1969.

Marital status: TBC.

Career highlights: Founded Digital Union in 1998, winner of four IBM beacon awards, finalist Entrepreneur of the Year 2004. Member of IBM European executive business partner committee, managed Nasdaq company merger with US company Verticalnet 2005, and am now president of Europe for Verticalnet.

What do you love most about the IT industry? The partner community and the ability to build long-term relationships that are much more than just day-to-day business. Plus the seemingly random nature of innovation and the ability to work within the network to get things of off the ground quickly.

Which company do you most admire or respect in the IT business? Apple.

Which individual do you most admire or respect in the IT business? Kevin Drew, managing director of Triangle.

What is the biggest technology trend you anticipate in the next 12 months? True subscription-based solutions across industries and applications.

What is the one thing working in the technology industry has taught you? Don't make enemies (or too many anyway). It's too small a world.

Where do you think the channel will be in five years time? Smaller with significant niches and very focused partners. It will have a service orientation with less and less to do with software and more and more to do with business.

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

Which do you think is the most influential ISV in the UK? The open source community.

Which vendor's technology do you think has changed the face of IT? Linux.

How do you unwind or spend your spare time? By filling in online surveys.

Where is your favourite place to eat? By the sea.

What is your favourite drink? Vodka lime soda: large, with fresh lime.

What is your favourite TV programme or film? Withnail And I.

Who is your favourite musician, band, artist or genre? Echo and the Bunnymen.
What is your favourite book? Carter Beats the Devil [by Glen David Gold] or books by Upton Sinclair.

What career would you have pursued if you hadn't worked in the channel? Something to do with the world of music.

What has been your greatest business achievement? Merging with a Nasdaq-listed company after building Digital Union up from my kitchen.

What is your personal ambition? To keep doing this, and some.