Gill, Chris

A-List 2006

Job title: Managing director.

Company: OKI Printing Solutions.

Year of birth: 1947.

Place of birth: Sutton, Surrey.

Career outline: In 1966 I joined P&O Lines as a radio officer. After that I worked at Honeywell Computers and then Technitron International as marketing manager. In 1982, turnover in computer products was just £8m. By 1986 it had passed the £30m mark and we successfully completed a management buy-out. We missed our floatation in December 1987 and ended up selling to OKi in 1990.

What motivates you every morning to get up and work in the channel? Diversity, rapid change, personalities and the unexpected.

What has been the most over-hyped technology in the past five years? All of the ones we’ve forgotten about.

What will be the most underrated technology in the next five years? Most probably something like electronic paper.

Which technology would you most like to have invented? I did draw up a patent for a digital photo printer, but never got round to applying... I’m still kicking myself.

Do you have any regrets from your time in the industry? None.

If you could swap places with anyone in the industry, who would it be? No one.

What is the biggest hurdle you have faced in your career? People restructuring is always difficult. I’ve closed down companies in the past and sold on the business. It is always a difficult and challenging time.

What is the biggest success of your career? Creating a solutions value added business out of a box shifter.

What piece of technology could you not live without? Central heating thermostat.

What would be your advice to anyone starting a career in IT? Embrace change and relish its challenge, don’t get stuck in a rut. This industry is too dynamic to allow yourself to get bored.

What is your favourite computer game? Lotus Notes and SAP.

What would you like for Christmas if you could have anything? A slimmer waist.

What is your favourite karaoke song? Green Green Grass of Home, by Tom Jones

What would be the title of your autobiography? I Hope This Was Just The Warm Up.

Do you have any phobias? No.

How many beers before you fall over? More than 5.

Number of staff you manage? 200.

What is your golf handicap? 20.

What car do you drive? Jaguar XJ8 Sovereign.

Number of air miles you have? Very little because I just spent some on a trip to Spain.