Dow, Andy

A-List 2006

Job title: Commercial director.

Company: Westcoast.

Year of birth: 1960s.

Place of birth: Radford Semellie.

Career outline: Worked in the IT industry since leaving college. Long stints as a reseller, as a vendor – nine years at Hewlett-Packard – and now 12 years in distribution.

What motivates you every morning to get up and work in the channel? Now and again we might moan about our industry, but it is still one of the most exciting industries on earth. It is fast moving, constantly changing and full of challenges. What more do you need to get you out of bed?

What has been the most over-hyped technology in the past five years? At some point in its life cycle everything gets over-hyped, nothing stands out above the rest.

What will be the most underrated technology in the next five years? Mobility. We are starting to take it for granted. Don’t. This is far more exciting than it first appears.

Which technology would you most like to have invented? MP3. A quantum change in the way we handle music. It will generate a new generation of musicians who can promote their music to an unlimited audience.

Do you have any regrets from your time in the industry? No. I’ve had the chance to see the market develop from the Apple through to today’s technology. I’ve also had the opportunity to work in some of the most successful companies in the industry and made some great friends.

If you could swap places with anyone in the industry, who would it be? The young lad on the sales floor so I could do it all again, or perhaps Bill Gates, so I wouldn’t have to do it all again.

What is the biggest hurdle you have faced in your career? Every day brings its own hurdles and each looks as challenging as the next. The buzz comes from clearing the hurdles.

What is the biggest success of your career? The growth and success that we are sharing here at Westcoast is my personal favourite.

What piece of technology could you not live without? My iPAQ. I’d be lost without it.

What would be your advice to anyone starting a career in IT? If they are good, join Westcoast. It’s the best place to work in the industry. If they aren’t any good, I’d send them to a competitor.

What would you like for Christmas if you could have anything? Time.

What is your favourite karaoke song? Song For Guy, by Elton John.

What would be the title of your autobiography? 18 ‘Till I Die.

Do you have any phobias? No.

How many beers before you fall over? Don’t know.

Number of staff you manage? Loads.

What is your golf handicap? 36.

What car do you drive? Lotus.

Number of air miles you have? No idea.