Robert Gupta

Managing director, Secon

Career so far I have been managing director of Secon since 2000. Before that I was pre-sales and account manager at Siemen’s Databit, account manager at E92 Plus and owner of Bar Infiniti in Clapham.

If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be? Chuck D of Public Enemy as it would be interesting to see what goes on in the mind of someone who has helped create political and social consciousness for our generation through music.

What will next year’s most overhyped industry buzzword be? Advanced persistent threats.

Has 2012 been a good, bad or ugly year? It’s been a good year as we are on track to meet all of the objectives we set out to do.

What would you have as your last meal? Bangers and mash accompanied with a glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

What keeps you awake at night? The next phase of Secon.

What piece of technology could you not be without? My phone.

Have any of your predictions come true this year? Yes – we can confidently say that we are the “go to” technical partner for Trend Micro and Websense in the UK.

What is the best partner/customer trip you have ever been on? Juniper Networks and Websense US partner conferences in January 2012.

What do you see as the channel’s biggest challenge in 2013? Retaining product margin.