Brett Edgecombe

Director, 101 Data Solutions

What was the worst job you have ever had?

I, like many of us, have had our fair share of challenging jobs. It would be unfair to name any names but rather take from them what not to do; how not to treat your staff; and use that to improve how your own organisation is run by treating people how you would be expected to be treated.

Which actor would you pick to play you in a movie of your life?

Big Jack Nicholson. He has a brilliant acting balance of passion, intensity and sincerity. He is also never boring to watch.

What do you do as your party trick?

Human beat box and a plethora of dance moves including Ride the Pony and The Robot. You can take your pick but I will not line dance.

What is your favourite chocolate bar?

I very rarely eat chocolate but I would have to say Wispa. The aerated approach makes it a very versatile confection. I also respect its history and how it came back to life through social media in 2007; the bar tells an interesting story.

What has been the highlight of your career to date?

Co-creating 101 Data Solutions and winning the impressive customer base which we continue to grow with.

Has 2014 been a good, bad or ugly year?

2014 has been a brilliant year with an increase in head count, great customers and increased revenues. Our services portfolio is also on the move with key initiatives around hybrid computing, storage on demand and key partnerships with established co-location organisations. Our traditional storage business continues to grow and there is also plenty of demand for our core solutions portfolio.

How would you explain the IT channel to a stranger without boring them to death?

It's not a boring place to be; it's a great place to witness and be part of changes in technology. There are many interesting people and technologies in the IT channel; it is the best place to find a technology to resolve a business problem.

Aside from the channel, my dream career would be... an inventor of something technologically brilliant as I have a passion for advancement that makes ‘things' easier for people. 101 Data Solutions is the focus of my passion, energy and inventiveness so it leaves me little time to come up with that one amazing thing.

What major issues will the channel face in 2015?

Choosing the right partners to work with when we are seeing a lot of acquisitions, joint ventures and changes in the way technology is delivered to end users. We must ensure a solid vendor strategy while maintaining flexibility in the portfolio to resolve customer challenges.