Robertson, Colin

A-LIST 2005

Company: Avnet Partner Solutions.

Job title: Managing director.

Place of birth: Taiping, Malaysia.

Year of birth: 1956.

Marital status: Divorced.

Career highlights: Commercial director for Hamilton Rentals, sales director for Compaq division at Acuma. Joined Avnet as sales director in 2000 and was recently promoted to managing director.

What do you love most about the IT industry? Building strong customer relationships.

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

Which individual do you most admire or respect in the IT business? Larry Ellison [of Oracle].

What is the biggest technology trend you anticipate in the next 12 months? Storage.

What is the one thing working in the technology industry has taught you? Things change quickly.

Where do you think the channel will be in five years time? I see vendors going out to the channel more, but selecting fewer but stronger partners.

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

Which do you think is the most influential ISV in the UK? Oracle.

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

How do you unwind or spend your spare time? I enjoy squash, golf and boxing.

Where is your favourite place to eat? The Royal China, Queensway and Windows, Park Lane.

What is your favourite drink? Tom Collins and Jack Daniels.

What is your favourite TV programme or film? Gladiator.

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

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

What has been your greatest business achievement? Becoming managing director of Avnet Solutions UK, which is part of a global organisation.

What is your personal ambition? To learn to snowboard and to travel down the Amazon river.