Managing director, Cloud Distribution
What achievement are you most proud of?
In 1988 I was a full-time, professional musician and was lucky enough to release a single which nearly reached the UK charts! The band was called Kick the Can and our single was Hide (Your Feelings). To this day I am very proud of the fact that I have a piece of 7in vinyl with my name on it.
What has been the biggest change in the channel since you started working in it?
The channel is constantly evolving. We’ve seen a move from hardware and services to licensing and subscriptions, driven predominantly by the cloud revolution. We saw the embryonic stages of this in 2009 which is why we founded Cloud Distribution. As the space gains momentum, channels who do not embrace this change will struggle to remain relevant.
What three things could you not live without?
1. My home cinema setup. Movies, TV and gaming are what I love. 2. My piano as I still enjoy playing, writing and recording music. 3. My phone so I can keep in touch with my loved ones.
What has been your most embarrassing moment so far?
I was exhibiting at the Networks Show in the late 1990s and accidentally locked myself out of my hotel room, naked, at 2am (used the wrong door, long story) and having to use the hotel’s Union Jack, which I found in a cupboard on the top floor, so I could go down to reception to get let back in.
What do your family think you do all day?
Not a lot, I suspect.
Who is your ultimate celeb crush?
Angelina Jolie and/or Cameron Diaz – I’m not fussy.
What is your guilty pleasure?
A couple of pints in the local pub with close friends and/or family. What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister? Remove religion from education and replace it with more science.
Has 2015 been a good, bad or ugly year?
2015 was a year of consolidation for Cloud. We successfully added a number of strategic vendors to our portfolio, moved to larger premises, added 40 per cent more staff and came fourth in the Times Tech Track 100. All in all, a good year I think.
If you didn’t work in the IT channel, what would you do?
I’d be a musician.
What major issues will the channel face in 2016?
The channel gives vendors access to customers. But as IT is evolving more quickly than ever, the channel may struggle to ensure it is positioning the correct technology to its customers. Vendors need an educated channel to execute their plans so distribution is THE route to provide this education.
