Marketing director UK&I, Tech Data
Career so far
My career has been dedicated to the IT channel, initially as a reseller in Cape Town, South Africa, followed by a long stint with HP UK's distribution team during the days
when distribution was defining itself. This was followed by a further 20 years in distribution, the majority of which has been with Tech Data, and the rest with Westcoast. Oh, and don't forget the years at Dell as the UK channel
sales director.
What was your first job and were you any good at it?
I was a filing clerk in an insurance company and no, I was crap at it. It bored me and I left as soon as I could.
Who was your top teenage pin-up?
She didn't have to have a name...
My colleagues won't know this about me but...
I never intended to join the IT industry. I was determined to make a living from racing motocross, but I fell off too often.
What is your favourite snack?
Anything with seafood in it.
What has been your career high point to date?
There have been tough years and easier years (I can't remember an easy year), but I've enjoyed it all. That is what keeps me in IT and the channel - it is all a high point.
Has 2013 been good, bad or ugly?
2013 has had a good mixture of them all, but we should focus on the fact that our industry has outperformed the economy, which I would say makes it a relatively good year.
What do you say when asked at a party what you do for a living?
Anything to avoid them asking if I can source a cheap laptop for their kids.
If I wasn't working in the channel I would probably be...
A failed motocross rider.
What will be the channel's biggest challenge in 2014?
The challenges don't change: more consumerisation, more convergence and more consolidation. Master these and then do it at a lower cost.
