Chief executive, Company85
What is your greatest career move to date?
Either setting up Company85 or stacking shelves in the wines and spirits department of ASDA. Too close to call.
What is top of your bucket list?
Charlize Theron. Oh, sorry - I thought you said "who".
What has changed most since you started working in the channel?
Apart from the ridiculous increase in the number of beards, the massive growth in the importance of services to the channel has to be the most significant shift.
How do you think Brexit is going to affect the channel?
Other than the immediate exchange rate challenges, we're certainly not seeing any negatives right now. We've already seen the share price of some of our listed partners recover from the initial dip and I'm pretty bullish about the resilience of the UK channel long term.
What is your least favourite task during the working day?
I actually get a perverse pleasure in testing the mettle of cold-callers, so I'd have to say it's the tedium of declining LinkedIn requests from recruiters.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
My dog. It gets fed well, regular exercise, sleeps when and where it wants and receives tons more attention from the rest of the family than I do. And it can lick its own...
If you won the big one on EuroMillions, what would you do?
I'd buy Leeds United. Fulfil a lifelong ambition and play one game for them, and then do a better job of running it than the current mob.
What is your worst habit?
None of us are ‘corporate types' at Company85, but I think I'm a bit too much of a potty-mouth at times.
How has 2016 been for you?
It's been fantastic. Record-breaking month after record-breaking month means we've grown by nearly 50 per cent this year.
If you didn't work in the IT channel, what would be your dream career? Freelance biscuit designer. It was always my ‘go to' occupation in my 20s - when I was too embarrassed to admit I worked in IT.
What major issues will the channel face in 2017?
Security continues to be a big growth area but I think that's going to lead to an even greater shortage of skills in the channel. I wonder what sort of company could help?
