Patel, Bhavesh

A-LIST 2005

Company: Ingram Micro UK.

Job title: Commercial director.

Place of birth: Nairobi, Kenya.

Year of birth: 1959.

Marital status: Married, with two kids, a boy and a girl.

Career highlights: After computer studies in Wales, I started out in the reseller world in the Tottenham Court Road. I joined distribution with Software, acquired by Ingram Micro, a global US company. I worked in several director-level positions across the company and in a number of regions around the world, including the UK, Europe and Asia Pacific.

What do you love most about the IT industry? Its dynamism and continual change.

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

Which individual do you most admire or respect in the IT business? Any veteran who has demonstrated the ability to survive in what can be a very demanding industry.

What is the biggest technology trend you anticipate in the next 12 months? Continued exploitation of the digital revolution.

What is the one thing working in the technology industry has taught you? You can never learn enough.

Where do you think the channel will be in five years time? Approaching its 30th birthday, mature and advanced enough to address the inevitable ongoing change in market needs and conditions.

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? Salesforce.com.

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

How do you unwind or spend your spare time? Listening to music, spending quality time with the family.

Where is your favourite place to eat? One that serves Thai food.

What is your favourite drink? Mojito.

What is your favourite TV programme or film? Gladiator

W ho is your favourite musician, band, artist or genre? World music.

What is your favourite book? Autobiographies.

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

What has been your greatest business achievement? Being acting managing director at Ingram Micro for 14 months.