Jon Godfrey
Director, Sims Lifecycle Services, Europe, Sims Recycling Solutions
Career so far I'm a technology buyer turned into all things technology lifecycle. I am a recycling, refurbishment and reuse entrepreneur with a focus on service and residual data security. I'm an expert in where technology and data goes to die.
If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be? I would love to be the drummer in a band headlining the Glastonbury Festival. Unfortunately my drumming talents make that unlikely so I would chose to be Michael Eavis on the last weekend of June.
What will next year's most overhyped industry buzzword be? If I chose one I might ridicule almost all of my clients, but I hate the word "synergy".
Has 2012 been a good, bad or ugly year? I would describe it as "palate cleansing" but of course it's been all three. It has made us be lean, creative and forced change which in the long term has to be good.
What would you have as your last meal? I might give the wrong impression if I chose a drink but it just has to be a Mojito on Las Salinas Beach, Ibiza. I have developed an obsessive compulsive disorder for the world's best Mojito. As it has lime and mint, it counts as two of my "five a day", and therefore must count as a meal.
What keeps you awake at night? I once slept through an attack by 2 Para on an army exercise in Germany so my short answer is - nothing. I wish sleeping was an Olympic sport.
What piece of technology could you not be without? I really hate to admit it but it has to be my smartphone. I even control my house from my phone now - heating, lights, music and security. I have turned in to a geek in a suit.
Have any of your predictions come true this year? None - don't bet on my horse. I predicted change but that doesn't count.
What is the best partner/customer trip you have ever been on? It's so long ago I can hardly remember (hint hint) but it has to be Palmer Sports. I know, a petrol head working in recycling; at some level we are all hypocrites.
What do you see as the channel's biggest challenge in 2013? Delivering measurable value in a market with over capacity and decreasing budgets through creativity and intelligence - but I'm stating the obvious again.