Career so far I left school in 1981 and wanted to be a polo player, so took a job as a polo groom. I had a hell of a year, but the money was awful.
In 1983 I took a trainee job with a publishing company in credit and got hooked on cash and risk management and have spent 25 years in credit services and business management in various industries, including: publishing, electronics, manufacturing, information technology and distribution.
I was on the main board as credit and customer services director for Computer 2000. In addition, I was director of credit services EMEA for Tech Data Europe and responsible for 17 countries. I formed European Plus in 2009, a credit management consultancy and training company.
If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be and what would you do? Simon Cowell, so I could sit next to Cheryl Cole and rip into
Louis Walsh.
What would you have as your last meal? A bottle of Luigi Bosca ‘Icono’ Malbec/Cabernet 2006/7 with a fine Argentinean steak
What is the best corporate jolly you have ever been on/taken partners on? I’ve spent 10 days in Mauritius with first class travel and hotel, but the real fun was the Telephone Bar in London and limo-surfing down the King’s Road.
Do you see the cloud as a threat or an opportunity? If it’s a rain cloud it’s not a threat if I’m carrying an umbrella.
Have any of your predictions come true this year? Yes, we are still in recession and there are still masses of opportunities.
What do you see as the channel’s biggest challenge in 2011? Managing the need for growth while managing financial risk.
What is the best part of your day? Walking downstairs, seeing the sun and deciding to work from the boat today.
