Darren Grasby

Corporate VP global channel sales and GM EMEA, AMD

What achievement are you most proud of?

Being part of a company that is delivering world-class technology across the globe. One such example is our recent range of Fury Graphic cards, which are first to market with the highly innovative HBM (High Bandwidth Memory).

What has been the biggest change in the channel since you started working in it?

The pace of change. Online and the digital world has changed the channel beyond recognition and social media now plays a huge part in customers' buying habits, preferences and decisions. It's scary to think that just 15-20 years ago we were still just getting to grips with emails and the internet.

What three things could you not live without?

1. My rugby fix. Whether that's watching my two boys play or the Tonbridge Juddians RFC, at which I am chairman. 2. My iPhone, because it's permanently attached to me and it'd be like losing a limb if I ever forgot it. 3. The current AMD Worldwide Component Channel team. They are truly world class, transformational and simply the best team I have ever had the pleasure to manage.

What has been your most embarrassing moment so far?

Nothing that can be printed!

What do your family think you do all day?

Talk with people across the globe in a language they don't understand.

Who is your ultimate celeb crush?

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.

What is your guilty pleasure?

The odd glass or two of a good red wine.

What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister?

Change income and inheritance tax to lower rates.

Has 2015 been a good, bad or ugly year?

An average year.

The markets were challenged and exchange rates were extremely volatile. We have driven our channel business to healthy levels, launched world-class leading-edge technology and we appear to have all survived the "super blood moon apocalypse".

If you didn't work in the IT channel, what would you do?

Get my handicap down from 19 to 9.

What major issues will the channel face in 2016?

I believe that the continued global economic situation and the knock-on effects that has will cause uncertainty in the market place.