John McGuire

Career so far: Over 20 years of experience in developing and exiting start-up technology businesses, both in the private and public sectors. I previously co-founded and was chief executive of Red Squared Plc and before that I was the co-founder and managing director of Datel Advanced Systems Limited, both IBM business partners.

If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be and what would you do? Charles Saatchi. I’d go home every night and be with Nigella.

What would you have as your last meal? Christmas dinner with my legendary roast potatoes.

What is the best corporate jolly you have ever been on/taken partners on? World Cup final 1998 – France v Brazil. It also meant being in the same stadium as Catherine Deneuve,then ending up in wild celebrations on the Champs Elysees. Thanks IBM.

Do you see the cloud as a threat or an opportunity? The biggest opportunity for the channel since the arrival of the IBM PC.

Have any of your predictions come true this year? IBM will become a serious player in the cloud collaboration space.

What do you see as the channel’s biggest challenge in 2011? BP changing its business model to adapt to cloud offerings.

What is the best part of your day? The morning, while speed-reading The Daily Telegraph with a cuppa (peppermint tea).