O'Loughlin, Terry

A-LIST 2005

Company: Computer Associates.

Job title: UK channel sales director.

Place of birth: New York.

Year of birth: 1963.

Marital status: Married.

Career highlights: Qualifying as a teacher of English and Drama in 1987. Joining Softsel, telesales. Winning the portable television sales promo. From 1988 to 1990, Frontline Distribution, going from sales exec to sales manager. What a ride. Hard work and fun all the way. Being part of the first £10m month. From 1990 to 1995, illion as product marketing sales manager. Winning the Wall Data contract for Computacenter. From 1996 to 1997 Cheyenne/Computer Associates, going from sales exec to sales director. Surviving the distributor training weekends.

What do you love most about the IT industry? The people.

Which company do you most admire or respect in the IT business? More than one. Being tenacious is a quality I admire.

Which individual do you most admire or respect in the IT business? Marlene Yeoman. An exceptional lady.

What is the biggest technology trend you anticipate in the next 12 months? Storage Terabyte purchasing model. iPods will rule the world.

What is the one thing working in the technology industry has taught you? Stay on your toes at all times.

Where do you think the channel will be in five years time? With fewer overall players but a more consolidated group of key players both from a vendor and reseller perspective. Still working and playing hard.

Who do you think is the most influential vendor in the UK? Dell for hardware.

Who 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? Compaq/Hewlett-Packard. Everything has become hand-held.

How do you unwind or spend your spare time? Having fun with my two-year-old, Grace, my husband Daniel and our spaniel, Pepper. Catching up with friends over dinner and a bottle of wine. Very occasionally a luxurious spa day, preferably at Penny Hill Park.

Where is your favourite place to eat? Those who know me would disappointed if I did not tell the truth. Pizza Express.

What is your favourite drink? A glass of chilled New Zealand Sauvignon.

What is your favourite TV programme or film? The Wizard of OZ or Brigadoon.

Who is your favourite musician, band, artist or genre? Bobby Womack, Crowded House, soul.

What is your favourite book? The Blue Afternoon by William Boyd. The Gruffalo by Macmillan Books.

What career would you have pursued if you hadn't worked in the channel? Stage actress performing Shakespeare.

What has been your greatest business achievement? Surviving the good and bad times in the IT industry.

What is your personal ambition? To be a size 12 again.