Lockie, Steve

A-List 2006

Job title Managing director of UK, Ireland and Middle East.

Company Computer 2000/Tech Data.

Year of birth 1966.

Place of birth Hamilton, Scotland.

Career outline My previous roles have included: 2005 – managing director of C2000/Tech Data UK and Middle East; 2004 – managing director of C2000 UK; 1999 – managing director of Tech Data Middle East; 1997 – general manager of networking C2000 UK; 1995 – marketing manager Data Translation UK; 1993 – product marketing manager Azlan UK.

What motivates you every morning to get up and work in the channel? The people, the buzz, the fast-paced nature and the opportunity we all have to evolve and grow.

What has been the most over-hyped technology in the past five years? ATM.

What will be the most underrated technology in the next five years? So much technology is now commodity within a few years from launch, hence the value of the ‘invention’ is often overlooked. This is great from the user experience, but it limits the ability of the channel to grow service and margin opportunities.

Which technology would you most like to have invented? Who doesn’t want to be connected to the internet?

Do you have any regrets from your time in the industry? No regrets, only experience from some poor decisions.

If you could swap places with anyone in the industry, who would it be? I’d like to be on the steering group for the Motorola acquisition of Symbol Technologies. The seamless mobility vision is a clear winner in our converging market and one of the best matches of technology companies I have seen.

What is the biggest hurdle you have faced in your career? The transition between European and Middle East/Asian cultures was a fantastic learning experience.

What is the biggest success of your career? The turnaround of our Middle East operations with the team back in 2000.

What piece of technology could you not live without? I’m not at my happiest when stuck on a plane for several hours. My iPod with trusty Belkin battery backup saved my sanity many times.

What would be your advice to anyone starting a career in IT? Define IT first of all. It’s now not a question of operator, programmer, analyst, support or sales and marketing.

What is your favorite computer game? I was banned several years ago from Premiership Manager.

What would you like for Christmas if you could have anything? A self-cleaning, always-ready latte machine.

What is your favorite karaoke song? I Feel Good, by James Brown.

What would be the title of your autobiography? The First Half.

Do you have any phobias? No.

How many beers before you fall over? More than eight.

Number of staff you manage? 8.

What is your golf handicap? 28.

What car do you drive? BMW X5.

Number of air miles you have? 100,000.