Roger Timms

Managing director, Maindec Computer Solutions

Career so far I started work at 15 in the office equipment industry. I then entered the computer industry where I worked on the early VRC (visual record computers) called Sadie and Susie and finally the Molecular 18 system. I progressed to working on early commercial DEC / PDP11-based systems. Finally I became a founder member of Maindec Computer Engineering in 1979, when we started to install and support 3rd party products on DEC systems. Over the past 33 years we have evolved into a total support and solutions supplier.

If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be? The prime minister – so I can finally get a reservation at the Fat Duck.

What will next year’s most overhyped industry buzzword be? Cloudburst – overhyped cloud!

Has 2012 been a good, bad or ugly year? Better than good; it’s been a fantastic year. We’re finally crawling out of the recession, business is good and the world has been treated to a fantastic London 2012 Olympics.

What would you have as your last meal? Gazpacho soup (to remind me of hot summers), roast beef and Yorkshire pudding (to remind me of England), and rhubarb crumble and custard (if I can get someone to make it!).

What keeps you awake at night? My neighbours’ cockerel.

What piece of technology could you not be without? Wireless speakers – great sound quality, zero nagging (due to wires all over the house).

Have any of your predictions come true this year? Yes – my son and partner had a baby boy!

What is the best partner/customer trip you have ever been on? I have not been able to fit any into my busy schedule.

What do you see as the channel’s biggest challenge in 2013? Developing services propositions which deliver tangible value while differentiating yourself from the crowd.