Career so far I started out as an electronics test engineer at GEC Marconi Instruments before moving into IT distribution at Midwich Thame, where I stayed for nine years in a variety of roles. I joined Unipalm shortly after the MBO from WorldCom in 1997 and was made a director in 2000. Computerlinks acquired Unipalm that year and I joined the group operating board in 1997.
If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be and what would you do? Either a professional golfer or footballer. Those guys have a great life.
Cloud - friend or foe? Definitely a friend and an area of strong focus for Computerlinks with our Alvea Services offerings.
Has 2011 been as bad as everyone said it would be? Given the overall economic situation, it has been pretty good. I think the channel has had to work hard but those that have focussed in key areas and tried to be entrepreneurial have done well.
What would you have as your last meal? Oysters followed by rib-eye steak then crème brulee washed down with a nice bottle of wine.
Who would you like to be stuck in a lift with? Given my wife might read this, I would have to say her.
Have any of your predictions come true this year? Yes. I predicted that Norwich City FC (my local team) would gain back-to-back promotions and be playing in the Premier League this season.
What do you see as the channel's biggest challenge in 2012? The channel needs to adapt itself to handle and motivate staff to sell ‘IT as a service' rather than traditional hardware or software products.
What is the best part of your day? I'm definitely a morning person, so it's really nice to get up on a summer's morning, go for a run then see my children waiting for me when I get back.
