John McGuire

Career so far:

I've had more than 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 and before that I was the co-founder and managing director of Datel Advanced Systems, which were both IBM business partners.

If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be and what would you do?

John Lennon. I would spend the week in Abbey Road recording studios.

Cloud - friend or foe?

Definitely friend.

Has 2011 been as bad as everyone said it would be?

Being naturally optimistic, it's hard for me to agree. However, 2011 has certainly been a challenge.

What would you have as your last meal?

Domino Pizza. It's bound to be late so would give me more time.

Who would you like to be stuck in a lift with?

Nigella Lawson and Carol Vorderman.

Have any of your predictions come true this year?

Yes. The channel has been slow to adopt cloud strategies.

What do you see as the channel's biggest challenge in 2012?

Recalibration of existing business models to take account of cloud models.

What is the best part of your day?

The morning. Always a new day, always new possibilities.