Salmon, Frank

A-LIST 2005

Company: CMS Peripherals.

Job title: Group chief executive.

Place of birth: Ireland.

Year of birth: 1965.

Marital status: Married.

Career highlights: I started CMS Peripherals in 1988 at the tender age of 22, and have since grown the company to be the largest independent storage distributor in the UK and Ireland, with revenues in 2005 of £150m.

What do you love most about the IT industry? Being at the forefront of new technology is exciting, along with the innovation and the evolvement of the channel.

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

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? Everyone carrying their stuff on a Disgo USB drive.

What is the one thing working in the technology industry has taught you? The need to be constantly reviewing your business.

Where do you think the channel will be in five years time? Healthy and well. With 50 per cent fewer players, businesses will need to be niche with added services or broadline box shifters.

Which do you think is the most influential vendor in the UK? Hewlett-Packard.

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? Microsoft.

How do you unwind or spend your spare time? Spending quality time with my family, playing golf and watching the Arsenal.

Where is your favourite place to eat? Fredricks in Islington.

What is your favourite drink? Guinness.

What is your favourite TV programme or film? Fawlty Towers and Father Ted.

Who is your favourite musician, band, artist or genre? No preference. Easy listening.

What is your favourite book? Mainly autobiographies

What career would you have pursued if you hadn't worked in the channel? Accountancy.

What has been your greatest business achievement? Setting up CMS and running it successfully for the past 18 years.

What is your personal ambition? To take a year out and travel the world.