Bruce Hockin

Director of solutions, Cloud Distribution

What is your greatest career move to date?

My first one - straight out of university into the thick end of distribution, where I have remained for the last 20 years.

What is top of your bucket list?

Does it make me boring if I say I don't have a bucket list? I would still love to chase the egg for my country, wear the red rose and all that, but I'm not sure how that would happen.

What has changed most since you started working in the channel?

The channel? Change?! What change? What we are selling is different, the margins are different, some of the names/brands are different but the people are the same as ever. Which is why I like it so much.

How do you think Brexit is going to affect the channel?

Companies that operate on a pan-EMEA basis are going to have to struggle through some operational and process changes and, in the short term, we are going to have to deal with currency volatility and value. It will then stabilise and we can all just get on with it.

What is your least favourite task during the working day?

No-one who knows me will believe me - but making lunch. Waste of time - I just want to eat it and get on with my day.

If you were an animal, what would you be?

I have no idea. So I took three quick online tests - I am an alligator, an owl and a cat. Go figure!

If you won the big one on EuroMillions, what would you do?

Retire - is this even a question?

What is your worst habit?

Looking at my iPhone while I'm on the loo.

How has 2016 been for you?

It started well and is getting better. Business is going well, family are good.

If you didn't work in the IT channel, what would be your dream career?

A sportsman; rugby probably. I would have loved to have made it at the highest level but I missed the dedication (and some would say skill) needed to give it a good go.

What major issues will the channel face in 2017?

I've said it the last three years but cloud adoption. Not just how the technology is relevant to the channel, but how we adapt to make money from it. Some companies will struggle. Luckily, Cloud Distribution (the clue's in the name) has started ahead of the curve and stayed there.