Readers' lives: Going from Dutch

A Lebanese food fan who started his IT career in the Netherlands

Hanson: Loves Las Vegas, and Beirut.

Number of staff you manage?
15

Golf handicap?
24

How many beers before you fall over?
If it is Stella or Kronenbourg, perhaps six or seven, or if it is something lighter maybe 10?

Car or other vehicle you drive?
Porsche Cayenne GTS.

What was your first job?
After university I got a job in Holland for a Dutch IT consultancy specialising in Informix 4GL development and UNIX support.

How much did it pay and was that fair?
About £12,000, which was really low but they did give me lots of training.

How did you get into IT?
My father bought a Sinclair ZX81 in kit form and we built it together when I was about eight. Then his company gave him an Apricot PC, which I took to bits and put back together again (to my father’s relief).

Which TV personality would you most like to be?
Jeremy Clarkson – what a job he has!

Are you looking forward to the London Summer Games in 2012?
Yes, my kids will be old enough to go and watch some of the events.

What sport should be in the Olympics but isn’t?
Golf. It would be great to see countries playing each other in a match-play game.

How do you relax, and do you find it easy to switch off from work?
Playing with my children, going to the gym and -- when the wife lets me -- playing golf.

Which is your favourite city?
Las Vegas; if I could, I would live there. The service is amazing and there are no kids!

What could prompt you to give it all up and join the revolution?
What revolution? If you are talking about revolting against large vendors stealing leads from their channel partners, I’d do it tomorrow for free.

What is your favourite joke or the one you heard most recently?
Husband asks his wife: “Why don’t you ever tell me when you have an orgasm?” Wife replies: “I don’t like calling you at work, dear.” That’s by Peter Kay.

Which is more satisfying: money or power?
Power. The most satisfying thing is to work for yourself and not have to report to anyone else.

What is your ideal holiday destination?
Somewhere you can ski, scuba dive and city break all in one day: Beirut!

What would you like to eat tonight?
Lebanese food from [London restaurant] Maroush, and I would eat it any time. Absolutely the best outside Lebanon.

Scott Hanson is technical director and co-founder of Ardenta