Richard Btesh

Career so far: Dealmaker with experience of more than 100 transactions [M&As, IPOs, joint ventures, including cross-border] as advisor and in industry; and on the board of listed/unlisted companies. At Chess [a telecoms reseller], I have led turnover growth from £3m to £33m as a result of acquisition activity.

If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be and what would you do? I'd be in a rock and roll band - the Eagles or Stones. Do you really want to know what I would do?

What would you have as your last meal? Dover sole (1995 Crystal); chateaubriand (1961 Lafite); and a selection of desserts from Le Gavroche in Mayfair (death by 1931 Port).

What is the best corporate jolly you have ever been on/taken partners on? Skiing.

Do you see the cloud as a threat or an opportunity? Everything is an opportunity.

Have any of your predictions come true this year? Yes, being included in the A-List 2011 and being asked again which of my predictions came true!

What do you see as the channel's biggest challenge in 2011? The economy and fighting for margins in an increasingly competitive space.

What is the best part of your day? The ups and downs - the variety - make for a fun day.