Gales, Eric

A-LIST 2005

Company: Microsoft.

Job title: Director Partner Group.

Place of birth: Rochford, England.

Year of birth: 1968.

Marital status: Married.

Career highlights: Six years at Microsoft rebuilding the partner business, eight years at Compaq in enterprise sales and partner, and five years in the channel.

What do you love most about the IT industry? The rate of change and continuous technology innovation.

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? Bill Gates.

What is the biggest technology trend you anticipate in the next 12 months? The next generation of mobile computing.

What is the one thing working in the technology industry has taught you? Change is the only constant.

Where do you think the channel will be in five years time? Bigger and better, but adding value in different ways.

Who do you think is the most influential vendor in the UK? Microsoft.

Who do you think is the most influential ISV in the UK? SAP.

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

How do you unwind or spend your spare time? Playing underwater hockey, golfing and karting. Not at the same time.

Where is your favourite place to eat? The French Horn in Sonning.

What is your favourite drink? Gin and tonic.

What is your favourite TV programme or film? Pulp Fiction.

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

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

What has been your greatest business achievement? Rebuilding the Microsoft UK partner business.

What is your personal ambition? To run my own company.