Mather, Roger

A-List 2006

Job title Managing director.

Company Actebis Distribution.

Year of birth 1965.

Place of birth Hampshire.

Career outline Qualified as a chartered accountant with PwC in 1990. I specialised in London stock market flotations. I was appointed group finance director for Otto Asia. In 2001, I transferred back to the UK to be managing director of the Otto Group’s Actebis subsidiary in the UK.

What motivates you every morning to get up and work in the channel? Its fast moving, cutting-edge character and the fear of not being able to pay the school fees.

What has been the most over-hyped technology in the past five years? This must be ultra-mobile PCs.

What will be the most underrated technology in the next five years? Let me know and I will invest heavily.

Which technology would you most like to have invented? The iPod.

Do you have any regrets from your time in the industry? Installing air-conditioning for the sales floor two years before my office.

If you could swap places with anyone in the industry, who would it be? Bill Gates.

What is the biggest hurdle you have faced in your career? Passing my professional exams.

What is the biggest success of your career? Turning around the loss-making Actebis UK operation.

What piece of technology could you not live without? My sit-upon mower.

What would be your advice to anyone starting a career in IT? Become an expert in the emerging technologies.

What is your favorite computer game? Rome Total War.

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

What is your favorite karaoke song? Don’t Worry, Be Happy, by Bobby McFerrin.

What would be the title of your autobiography? What Went Wrong?

Do you have any phobias? Yes. Having to drink only water for a week.

How many beers before you fall over? 10.

Number of staff you manage? 55.

What is your golf handicap? 12.

What car do you drive? Volvo Estate.

Number of air miles you have? 100,000.