Stuart Knott
Managing director, PCS Business Systems
What achievement are you most proud of?
Most recently it would be our 20th anniversary celebration where all our staff shared a fantastic night with great memories. On a personal level it has to have been seeing the development of individuals at PCS over the last couple of years that has really made me proud and given the company real strengths in so many areas.
What has been the biggest change in the channel since you started working in it?
I've worked in the channel all my working life so I have experienced numerous changes! Certainly the margins have changed along with the way in which companies buy. The change to virtualised infrastructures as well as cloud and "as a service" solutions have all been significant, but ultimately opportunities. I don't think any of us would like to operate in a static channel as it would lead to all VARs being the same, and frankly that would be very boring.
What three things could you not live without?
My kayak, my phone and fire. I love getting out and about on my kayak; it gives the opportunity to get away from it all, forget about the stresses and strains, it's good exercise and there is usually a nice pub on the bank along the route. Sadly as with many people I feel lost without my phone; the need to feel in contact and know what's going on can be overwhelming, and without it I think I'd go slowly mad. Who doesn't love a fire? A winter's evening with a fire roaring away is just perfect. Not only does it keep you warm but it has a hypnotic effect and is usually a better watch than the TV.
What has been your most embarrassing moment so far?
Walking into the ladies toilet to check the building was clear at the end of the day only to find one of the female members of the team standing in her pants and bra. It turns out she was changing to go out for the evening. You would have thought it would have been more embarrassing for her but it still scars me to this day as I remember the blood rushing to my face and turning bright red!
What do your family think you do all day?
My wife seems to think I sit waiting for her calls all day and my children tell me that I just play on the computer.
Who is your ultimate celeb crush?
Rachel Riley. She's intelligent, natural and funny. Obviously I prefer the 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown rather than the traditional Countdown version of Rachel. What is your guilty pleasure?
A bottle of Grey Goose Vodka.
Yes, it's bad for you but it's just so good!
What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister?
That's easy. I'd scrap all frameworks and save the taxpayer millions of pounds by allowing the public sector to buy their goods and services from the companies that provide the best value for money, rather than those big enough to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds preparing the right words for a framework tender.
Has 2015 been a good, bad or ugly year?
2015 has been a great year for PCS. We started the year with a few big changes within our management structure. When I look at PCS now compared with 2014 I see a much stronger, robust and future-proofed company that is focused in the right areas of the industry. We also celebrated our 20-year anniversary in July, which gave us a good excuse to all get together and enjoy some well-earned drinks.
If you didn't work in the IT channel, what would you do?
I'd like to think that I'd be a stand-up comedian, but the reality is (according to my wife and kids) that I'm about as funny as the jokes on a Penguin bar wrapper, so I'd most likely end up as an electrician.
What major issues will the channel face in 2016?
Change. However, personally I do think that change is a positive thing as it really gives companies like PCS the chance to shine as technologies, buying habits and customer expectations change. It's at times of change that we are able to really lead the way, giving customers what they actually need rather than just what the industry has been telling them they need. Eventually the big boys will catch up but they are harder ships to change course.