Jon Atherton

Jon Atherton, director

Career so far

I’ve been at Entatech now for 21 years after initially joining the company in the sales department – we were a much smaller operation back then.

What was your first job and were you any good at it?

I was a trainee cable engineer and installed one of the first computerised ticketing systems at Everton football ground.

Who was your top teenage pin-up?

Samantha Fox. She’s since fallen off the list.

My colleagues won’t know this about me but…

I once auditioned, in a 1980s equivalent of the X Factor, for a place in Bros.

What is your favourite snack?

It depends if I’m feeling naughty. Usually fruit but if I’m feeling cheeky, a Twirl.

What has been your career high point to date?

Hitting £100m turnover for Entatech.

Has 2013 been good, bad or ugly?

It’s been an absolutely fantastic year. We’re on an 18 per cent year-on-year growth, we’ve successfully launched our new southern sales office in Leatherhead, and have officially opened our new warehouse expansion – which has been a year in the making.

What do you say when asked at a party what you do for a living?

I don’t go to those kinds of parties. But I always keep my keys firmly in my pocket! If I wasn’t working in the channel I would probably be… some would say a professional golfer.

What will be the channel’s biggest challenge in 2014?

Distributors need to ensure that they are working with vendors that are pioneering and constantly evolving to ensure that the products offered cater to the ever-changing needs of the resellers and the end user. We need to be constantly reviewing our product lines to ensure our portfolios satisfy market demand and reflect the latest technologies. I think the use of online purchasing for resellers is also on the increase and it’s vital we’re able to offer the same level of service online as our sales staff can offer on the phone and face to face.