Phil Scrase

Career so far I have more than 25 years' experience in the IT industry. Before taking on my current role at OKI as UK managing director, I was responsible for the OKI EMEA Consumables Division and prior to that a mixture of sales & marketing management roles in various organisations.

Do you care about green IT? Yes. A responsible approach to the environment runs through everything we do at OKI. We demonstrate our environmental awareness by creating eco-friendly products, by promoting environmental conservation through our business activities and by contributing to activities within the local community.

If you could be in a rock/pop band, which one would it be and who would you be? I am a big fan of rock music from the 1960s and 70s but there were so many great bands in that era, it is difficult to single one out - if pushed it would be a close call between the Stones and the Beatles.

What is the best corporate jolly you have ever been on/taken partners on? I took a group of European Supplies Distribution partners to Thailand about five years ago - a fantastic trip taking in the all of the best that the country has to offer and including a visit to our manufacturing facilities. Still remembered today by several of those who came with us!

Has 2009 been as bad as everyone said it would be? From OKI's perspective, it has been a good year. Throughout 2009, we have seen more of a ‘back-to-basics' approach from the user community. Companies today are looking above all for print solutions that are robust, reliable and that provide good value for money, which plays to our particular strengths. We continue to offer a sound proposition to our channel partners so that we can both continue to enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship, which is sustainable even through those periods of economic uncertainty.

Have any of your predictions come true this year? I try not to make too many rash predictions - I've rarely picked a Grand National winner but in a business context, it's important to develop short and long-term business plans so a reasoned prediction is probably part and parcel of what we all do!

What do you see as the channel's biggest challenge in 2010? As always, the ability to maintain margin will be critical. Building good relationships will also be key. There will be great opportunities out there in the business printing market. To take advantage though, resellers will need to ensure that they are working with vendors that have a positive long-term strategy coupled with high-quality, robust and flexible product offerings. In other words, they need to work with OKI!

What is the best part of your day? I enjoy the working day - OKI is a great company to be a part of. But the glass of white wine with the evening meal also comes close!