Roper, Hugh

A-List 2006

Job title: Managing director.

Company: Hugh Symons Group.

Year of birth: 1969.

Place of birth: Poole, Dorset.

Career outline: I was a network engineer before founding WDSGlobal – a global services business in 1995. I’ve been managing director of Hugh Symons Group from 2000.

What motivates you every morning to get up and work in the channel? The changing dynamics of the convergence market and the need to make business successful.

What has been the most over-hyped technology in the past five years? WAP. PowerPC.

What will be the most underrated technology in the next five years? General Packet Radio Service.

Which technology would you most like to have invented? Google search engine, YouTube and Skype.

Do you have any regrets from your time in the industry? No.

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? Closing businesses.

What is the biggest success of your career? The foundation of Wireless Data Services.

What piece of technology could you not live without? Mobile phone.

What would be your advice to anyone starting a career in IT? Knowledge is power.

What is your favorite computer game? Chucky Egg.

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

What is your favorite karaoke song? Wherever I Lay My Hat, by Paul Young.

What would be the title of your autobiography? Hugh Who?

Do you have any phobias? No.

How many beers before you fall over? 5.

Number of staff you manage? 45.

What is your golf handicap? 16.

What car do you drive? Audi A8.

Number of air miles you have? 20,000