Perkins, Lee

A-LIST 2005

Company: Azlan/Computer 2000.

Job title: Director Azlan UK.

Place of birth: Oxford.

Year of birth: 1973.

Marital status: Married.

Career highlights: Receiving a solid grounding at DMST in the mid 1990s. Getting excellent opportunities to develop and take on new roles while working for InterQuad. Gaining exposure to volume distribution and vendors during my time at ETC. Helping the networking division of Computer 2000 to CRN Channel Award wins in 2004.

What do you love most about the IT industry? The two constants in the industry: change and challenge. I relish being part of a fast-moving business and believe that the greatest opportunities present themselves when times are challenging.

Which company do you most admire or respect in the IT business? All of the visionary businesses that help to drive our industry.

Which individual do you most admire or respect in the IT business? Anybody that has the courage to start up and make a success of their own business.

What is the biggest technology trend you anticipate in the next 12 months? IP voice is gaining traction, but virtualisation is likely to be a big mover.

What is the one thing working in the technology industry has taught you? Not to go on holiday for more than two weeks at a time.

Where do you think the channel will be in five years time? The channel will consolidate further, and while vendors may look to deal directly with their largest customers, SMEs will continue to be the lifeblood of the industry and can only be serviced effectively and skillfully by distribution.

Which do you think is the most influential vendor in the UK? It varies by specialisation. Cisco continues to lead in networking, while the likes of Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft drive the desktop and operating system space.

Which do you think is the most influential ISV in the UK? Microsoft is still hugely influential, but the new Symantec has a great opportunity to make its mark with a wider customer and technology mix following the acquisition of Veritas.

Which vendor's technology do you think has changed the face of IT? Virtualisation products from VMware have changed the way large server and storage deployments are viewed, as has the consolidation of data, voice and video from Cisco in the networking arena.

How do you unwind or spend your spare time? Mostly with family and friends, socialising, playing golf, watching sport or travelling.

Where is your favourite place to eat? The Butchers Arms at Priors Hardwick in Warwickshire. Great food and brilliant service.

What is your favourite drink? In the winter it's Stella Artois or Jack Daniels, but in the summer you can't beat gin and tonic.

What is your favourite TV programme or film? Any comedy, particularly Only Fools and Horses, Rising Damp and Fawlty Towers.

Who is your favourite musician, band, artist or genre? Elvis Presley or most things Indie.

What is your favourite book? The Long Road to Freedom by Nelson Mandela.

What career would you have pursued if you hadn't worked in the channel? Something people- or sales-related.

What has been your greatest business achievement? Building a great team that cover up for my weaknesses.

What is your personal ambition? To keep enjoying what I am doing and to drive any business that I am part of as well as I can.