Vice president, UK Commercial Partner, Microsoft
Which tech figurehead do you admire the most?
I know you'd expect me to say Satya Nadella - but it's true, because of his relentless focus on our culture, customers and partners.
What's the biggest challenge facing the industry no-one is talking about yet?
Everyone is (quite rightly) focused on their customers and how their own industries are being continually disrupted and transformed. However, with the platform shift to the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge, the partner ecosystem is also being disrupted by the new business models that are emerging.
If you could invite three famous people to dinner, who would they be?
My new leadership team recently asked me this question! Allow me to answer with a couple of my favourite quotes as well. Neil Armstrong, who said (besides that other quote!): "Every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don't intend to waste any of mine"; Nelson Mandela, who taught us that "Courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it"; and Margaret Thatcher. Whatever you think about her politics, her focus and determination were admirable. The first woman to lead a major political party in the UK would be a quite remarkable dinner guest.
How has 2017 been for you?
Exciting so far! After spending 10 years in international roles, it's great to be back in the UK - especially at such a pivotal time. As Industry 4.0 emerges, our customers are looking to transform how their teams collaborate, engage with their customers, and continually optimise their operations.
What's the most extravagant business lunch you've ever had?
Actually, I can't even think of one - I think in virtually all sectors, tech included, extravagant business lunches aren't quite as commonplace as they used to be.
Which global city best matches your personality?
Sydney, of course! It's my home town - I couldn't pick anywhere else.
What would be your super-hero power?
I had to consult my youngest daughter (who is 11) on this as I have little imagination when it comes to creative fiction. She says flying. Given the million-plus miles I must have flown with BA over the years, I think it's a pretty smart choice!
Complete this sentence. The worst thing about our rivals is… I try to avoid knocking the competition! We all drive each other on at the end of the day.
What makes you nervous?
When people I meet act as if they know everything there is to know. Whereas I keep finding out how much more I have to learn!
If you could eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Italian - but only if it was being cooked by my mother.
Sum up the channel in three words
Capable, diverse, critically important. OK, that's four, but I think it's justified in this instance.
