John Pepper
Chief executive and founder, Managed 24/7
What is your greatest career move to date?
Moving from a salesperson to starting my own business. It was incredibly exciting and from the first day I never looked back.
What is top of your bucket list?
Base jumping with a wing suit - Point Break 2015 style! I would love to do that if they could build big enough wings to support me.
What has changed most since you started working in the channel?
The pace of acceleration has been the biggest change. IT innovation is accelerating at such a rate that you need to be reinventing everything you do daily to keep ahead.
How do you think Brexit is going to affect the channel?
We all need to be prepared for the best and the worst. Cloud along with tighter budgets will affect traditional infrastructure demand. However, I do believe that MSPs will be in good shape. They will assist in lowering support costs in a recession and assist in innovation if the British economy trades through and up.
What is your least favourite task during the working day?
I honestly do not have one. From the moment I get in I love it. That's why most business owners do what they do. They do it because they love the challenge and all tasks involved in it is a step forward.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
A dog. I'm always happy and determined no matter what the circumstances and see the best in every situation.
If you won the big one on EuroMillions, what would you do?
Spend a day on a beach. Then invest the money into Managed 24/7 and go an acquisition spree!
What is your worst habit?
Listening to music very loudly in my car. That's fine when on my own, but when the volume is set at 11 and you turn the car on with lots of family members they don't really appreciate it!
How has 2016 been for you?
It has been a year of success and continual improvement. We launched our new predictive management centre at the start of the year and we are only just scratching the surface of what this brings to us and our customers.
If you didn't work in the IT channel, what would be your dream career?
It would have to be an airline pilot. Although I am not sure whether the passengers would appreciate a pilot who is trying to rewire the cockpit in mid-air to try and improve and simplify it.
What major issues will the channel face in 2017?
The traditional VAR/reseller model will probably find 2017 a major challenge as infrastructure spend shifts to as-a-Service and subscription models. MSPs will need to continually reinvent themselves to stay ahead of the game. Automation will begin to supersede human intervention for the first time and the services sector will need to rise to the challenge.
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