Halls, Peter

A-LIST 2005

Company: Affiniti/Kingston.

Job title: Board director, responsible for Affiniti.

Place of birth: Kent.

Year of birth: 1950.

Marital status: Married.

Career highlights: Seeing the basic business grow from £5m a year when I joined to £70m when it was bought by Kingston.

What do you love most about the IT industry? The challenge of change. It changes every quarter and every month.

Which company do you most admire or respect in the IT business? IBM and IBM Global Services for how it has changed from a hardware manufacturer to a services business.

Which individual do you most admire or respect in the IT business? Too many to mention. There are many people for all sorts of different reasons.

What is the biggest technology trend you anticipate in the next 12 months? I know it's hackneyed, but the whole convergence picture: technologies, devices and the market getting to grips with what it can do with them.

What is the one thing working in the technology industry has taught you? When a customer looks puzzled or says 'no', that's when you have to start selling.

Where do you think the channel will be in five years time? It won't look anything like it does today. It has changed in the past five years immeasurably. It will be far more service-oriented.

Which do you think is the most influential vendor in the UK? Cisco. The best marketing machine going.

Which do you think is the most influential ISV in the UK? I don't think there is a dominant influencer at the moment.

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

How do you unwind or spend your spare time? Watching sport of all sorts and travelling.

Where is your favourite place to eat? Restaurant 101, London.

What is your favourite drink? Red wine.

What is your favourite TV programme or film? My Cousin Vinnie.

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

What career would you have pursued if you hadn't worked in the channel? Something in selling. I've always sold.

What has been your greatest business achievement? Getting the right team around me.

What is your personal ambition? For my son to keep in me in the fashion to which I have become accustomed.