Alicia Shepherd

Sales director, Entatech

What is your greatest career move to date?

All my career moves have allowed me to develop, learning new skills along the way that have ultimately led me to the position I am now in.

What is top of your bucket list?

To see the Northern Lights.

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

Remote working. With current technology it has allowed an army of remote workers to execute their roles effectively. The closest thing to mobility when I started in the channel was a mobile phone the size of a brick.

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

We've already seen Brexit drastically affect the FX rate against the euro and US dollar, so inevitably I think there will be price fluctuations and that pricing will continue to rise in the short term. Overall business wise we need to keep our customer and supplier relationships strong and stay on the front foot. In that way I am confident that these increases will be manageable and we'll come out the other side in a strong position. Brexit is happening so the goal is to make it work and as a channel we need to just get on with it.

What is your least favourite task during the working day?

Going to the gym in the morning. I am quite disciplined but even so, when the alarm clock goes off it takes everything for me to motivate myself - once I'm at the gym I love it.

If you were an animal, what would you be?

I would most definitely be my collie cross Cariad as she has the life of luxury and is spoilt rotten - it really is a dog's life.

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

Look after my family and closest friends, give to charity and then with a clear conscious go on a very long, exotic holiday where there would be continual supply of G&T.

What is your worst habit?

It depends who you ask but it's probably not being able to sit still and constantly looking ahead for what can be done, and how can things improve.

How has 2016 been for you?

It was a new start for me in my role at Entatech - it's had its challenges, but those challenges have allowed me to grow as an individual. I'm happy to say that from a personal view and a company view we are all looking forward to 2017.

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

Running an outdoor pursuits centre. I love the outdoors. I enjoy climbing and kayaking so it would be a career that combined hobbies.

What major issues will the channel face in 2017?

Skills shortage and uncertainty in the financial markets with Article 50 being triggered.