Alastair Bell

Chief executive, Bell Microsystems

Career so far I went from commercial diving to founding Bell Microsystems in 1996 with £5,000.

If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be? President Kennedy, sailing on his yacht – Manitou – to see how the world was from his perspective.

What will next year’s most overhyped industry buzzword be? “Our cloud offering”

Has 2012 been a good, bad or ugly year? It’s been a great year. Good growth here and in overseas markets, expanding our own range of services to receptive customers.

What would you have as your last meal? A case of red with liver and bacon.

What keeps you awake at night? Mediocre wine.

What piece of technology could you not be without? The last phone I’ve lost!

Have any of your predictions come true this year? Some, but sadly none of the ones that count!

What is the best partner/customer trip you have ever been on? Panerai classic yacht racing in Cannes with customers and friends.

What do you see as the channel’s biggest challenge in 2013? Maintaining core business and not diverting from core values.