Jess Thompson-Hughes

Managing director, React

Career so far I am ex-Army, ex-Kerridge Network Systems, ex- managing director of ANS, ex-EMEA support director of ACC, ex-global director of Ericsson IPNEA – then React Technologies/React Group/React Enterprises and React Innovative Solutions.

If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be and why? Roger Rabbit – if you’ve seen Jessica Rabbit, then you don’t need to ask why!

What will next year’s most overhyped industry buzzword be? My money would be on Freemium, followed by Crowdsource.

Has 2012 been a good, bad or ugly year? 2012 started with low expectations so anything positive was always welcome. I’m still looking for the next big wave to take us onto a storming 2013 and beyond.

What would you have as your last meal? The testis of the Judge who found me guilty.

What keeps you awake at night? I would like to say Salma Hayek, but it’s usually something far more mundane.

What piece of technology could you not be without? My iPad – the best invention ever. I just need to persuade the local carriers to provide something faster than 9.6K to my village.

Have any of your predictions come true this year? Sadly, yes – I thought it would be a challenging year and haven’t been disappointed.

What is the best partner/customer trip you have ever been on? Now that’s a tough one. I have been on many over the years: Ericsson’s four-day partner conference in Puerto Rico back in the days when money was plentiful will take some beating.

What do you see as the channel’s biggest challenge in 2013? Finding customers and persuading them to part with money.