Matthew Poyiadgi

Career so far:

I spent seven years in marketing for human resources company Drake, 10 years at Prometric, and now nine years at CompTIA, from regional director UK region, to head of EMEA, to head of global sales.

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

President of the European Union. I would assist every small business to hire one new young member of staff, help address the unemployment issue, give confidence to our youth and kick-start consumer appetite for spending.

Cloud - friend or foe?

Friend. The cloud will ultimately help save costs, protect files and data far more than holding it on local machines, and serves as an opportunity to rethink a business model, thus creating new dialogue in the market, creativity and jobs.

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

It has come pretty close.

What would you have as your last meal?

Lobster ravioli and chocolate fudge cake.

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

Nelson Mandela, who could share his amazing stories, and a nurse (so that she can save me from panic, that is all).

Have any of your predictions come true this year?

That this year would be harder than the last for business.

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

Turning the "confidence" corner, which then facilitates the adoption of new technologies.

What is the best part of your day?

7am, when it is quiet, the phones do not ring and I have my clearest thoughts.