Edward Pacey

Career so far:

I have spent more than 35 years in credit management within a distribution and manufacturing environment, more recently 18 years with Bell Microproducts as EMEA director credit services. Among other services, I am now also selling the concept of "Credit, a selling tool".

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

Chairman of BA, just to sort out their calamitous customer service approach.

Cloud - friend or foe?

It depends on what angle you look at it and how you approach it. Do it right and it most definitely is a friend.

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

It could certainly have been better but the horizon is still murky and we are not out of the woods yet.

What would you have as your last meal?

A hot "souvlaki" in proper pitta bread, Greek style and accompanied by a bottle of red wine.

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

Failing female company, Michael Winner. I find him wonderfully self-deprecating, admire his films and attitude and he sounds a gas.

Have any of your predictions come true this year?

Yes. I'm enjoying life more than ever looking at the channel from the outside, and it looks interesting.

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

The pace of technological change, the move to less product and software supply, BYOD, greater services billing and the associated challenges this presents to funding. I'll add the reluctance of major businesses to face this challenge head on.

What is the best part of your day?

First thing in the morning and last thing in the evening - no traffic to consider.