A hair's breadth

More depth is needed in IT education and Prince William must never resemble Michael Bolton, says Mark Charleton

What was your first job, and how did you get into IT?

My first job, way back in the early 1990s, was working for the supermarket Safeway. I then moved into IT with a switch to Currys, where I was hired to run the multimedia centre. It was the first branch to sell PCs.

Planes, trains or automobiles?

I'll have to go for automobiles. They're more affordable and I don't have a licence for a train or plane - yet.

What sport should be in the Olympics but isn't?

If Lord Coe is listening, I would like to add go-karting, please. I'm not massive in size, which helps with my speed around the track. I've been quite a few times in the past, and I reckon I would stand a good chance.

What could prompt you to give it all up and join the revolution?

Oh, it would have to be something pretty major: World War III or taxes at 75 per cent.

Should Prince William shave his head?

I'd say hang onto it as long as you can; when it's gone, it's gone. However, it cannot be permitted to reach Michael Bolton standards - the cut must be appropriate.

In my dreams...

...I would be insanely wealthy.

Oranges or bananas?

Oranges, because I'm allergic to bananas, as I discovered on my stag do (which we won't say any more about).

What was the best holiday you have ever had?

There are so many great destinations to choose from, but I'll say Dubai. It's guaranteed never to rain and it's so hot. An absolutely ideal location for me.

What has been your toughest moment at work so far, and how did you resolve the situation?

Dealing with banks. Refinancing with banks is really tough, in any economy. I don't think there is any secret to it, though - just be patient and follow the rules.

If someone shrank you to the size of a pencil and put you in a blender, how would you get out?

In very small pieces.

Print or online news?

Online news for me, please. It's faster, easier to access and means I don't have to carry around bits of paper that fall apart. I don't have to shop for it either, which saves time.

Would you rather draw up the plans, or carry them out?

Draw them up, most definitely. I love coming up with an idea and then helping others to implement it.

Is it wrong to tell little white lies? If not, under what circumstances?

Life and society require them. A great man once said: "People can't handle the truth."

Will the economic recovery continue?

Recovery is happening and it will continue. Sadly, it's going to be a slow and drawn-out affair. We need a big shift in something to speed it up.

Can politicans ever be trusted on IT?

Good God, no! They can't be trusted to run their own expenses claims. For that to change, I think they really need to build a project of any size, and simply get that right.

Your closest near-death experience?

That banana incident on my stag do. It required a drip and a hospital visit. That's it, I can't share any more details.

Is IT well taught in schools?

I don't believe so, based on what my children are going through at the moment. Teachers don't understand enough about the subject. Children are dumped with stuff to learn and told to get on with it. They are not taught to develop or use technology.

I also think that not enough time is assigned to learning new things. Our current school curriculum contains far too much breadth and not enough depth.

Mark Charleton is co-founder and director of Blue Solutions