Bell, Alastair

A-LIST 2005

Company: Bell Microsystems.

Job title: Managing director.

Place of birth: Hillingdon.

Year of birth: 1961.

Marital status: Married.

Career highlights: Working for a variety of commercial diving companies; obtaining a commercial diving qualification.

What do you love most about the IT industry? Creating a solution around a customers specific business pain. Harnessing the latest technologies to create solutions that generate real business value. Winning despite tough market conditions.

Which company do you most admire or respect in the IT business? Any company that works with us.

Which individual do you most admire or respect in the IT business? Larry Ellison [of Oracle].

What is the biggest technology trend you anticipate in the next 12 months? Easier and cheaper data accessibility, and more storage.

What is the one thing working in the technology industry has taught you? Expect the unexpected.

Where do you think the channel will be in five years time? Today's channel is very different from five years ago. The vendors are recognising the strengths the channel brings and the channel's inherent ability to scale quickly to meet new and challenging demands. In five years' time the companies demonstrating genuine value-add around a vendor's offerings will be the winners.

Which do you think is the most influential vendor in the UK? Any vendor that understands the channel and shows support for its channel partners.

Which do you think is the most influential ISV in the UK? Any company driving towards open standards.

Which vendor's technology do you think has changed the face of IT? Vendors facilitating internet growth.

How do you unwind or spend your spare time? Swimming, sailing and trying to drink my cellar dry.

Where is your favourite place to eat? The Savoy Bar and Grill.

What is your favourite drink? Claret.

What is your favourite TV programme or film? Once Upon a Time in America.

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

What is your favourite book? The Magus by John Fowles.

What career would you have pursued if you hadn't worked in the channel? I would have continued in commercial diving.

What has been your greatest business achievement? Being included in the Techtrak 100 league table, which ranks the UK's fastest-growing unquoted technology companies by sales growth.

What is your personal ambition? To continue seeing the growth we are currently seeing