Durnan, Chris

A-LIST 2005

Company: Peapod (UK).

Job title: Managing director.

Place of birth: New Delhi, India.

Year of birth: 1944.

Marital status: Married.

What do you love most about the IT industry? Its competitiveness, without a shadow of a doubt.

Which individual do you most admire or respect in the IT business? Bill Gates.

What is the biggest technology trend you anticipate in the next 12 months? Anti-virus vendors have a huge challenge to meet the needs of customers and stay in the race.

What is the one thing working in the technology industry has taught you? Getting it right.

Where do you think the channel will be in five years time? Distribution has a real job ahead of it in justifying the two-tier structure, which will need a fair bit of evaluation and examination.

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

How do you unwind or spend your spare time? I like relaxing at weekends, going horse-racing, and not working.

Where is your favourite place to eat? Antico's in Eton.

What is your favourite drink? A good pint of London Pride.

What is your favourite TV programme or film? High Noon.

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

What is your favourite book? Anything by Dick Francis.

What career would you have pursued if you hadn't worked in the channel? Being a fighter pilot.

What has been your greatest business achievement? Keeping Peapod in the game.

What is your personal ambition? To retire alive at 65.