Ian Parslow

Senior vice president, sales, MTI Technology

What was the worst job you have ever had?

Growing up, my family had Great Danes for pets. As my dad put it, "Your job is to tidy up after them" - if you know what I mean.

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

Blimey, that's a tough one. Choose Brad Pitt and you could be seen as rather self appreciating or choose Daniel Day Lewis and maybe a bit too serious. I think I'll go with Robbie Williams, a bit of a joker, but gets the job done.

What do you do as your party trick?

I can vanish into thin air - normally at the tipping point between being tipsy and drunk. My mates call this act "Parslow doing a Casper".

What is your favourite chocolate bar? I don't really do chocolate, but I am very partial to a Jaffa cake and a cup of tea.

What has been the highlight of your career to date?

At MTI, working with a great bunch of guys who I am fortunate enough to consider as great mates too.

Has 2014 been a good, bad or ugly year?

2014 has been a fantastic year for me and for MTI. We have fully transitioned the business away from a reliance on product resale to a company that has become more focused on services and annuity. We call this the botox effect; it's taken years off me.
How would you explain the IT channel to a stranger without boring them to death? Welcome to the Layer Cake... You need to have seen the film Layer Cake with Daniel Craig to get this.

Aside from the channel, my dream career would be... Bernie Ecclestone's successor. Cars, money, boats, women - I'd never have to rent again.

What major issues will the channel face in 2015?

Margin erosion continues to eat away at some parts of our business and we see this especially in our professional services and product sales. But this is not a new problem. As long as companies continue to be innovative, consultative and deliver true customer service, prospects will continue to see the value of the channel.