Alastair Bell

Founder, Bell Integration

Which tech figurehead do you admire the most?

Scott McNealy of Sun Microsystems. He advocated open system architecture, while at Stamford University (in the floor above Cisco) created TCPIP and delivered Java as open source to developers and the business community.

What's the biggest challenge facing the industry no-one is talking about yet?

The future impact of GDPR as there are no experiences to date or certification process by which to measure either your own or others' customers.

If you could invite three famous people to dinner, who would they be?

Joe Strummer, Muhammad Ali and Leonardo da Vinci.

How has 2017 been for you?

It has been an exceptional year - great growth in our geographies with increased revenues and profits. Our unique offerings are being adopted by our existing and new customers, I'm working with talented colleagues and enjoying watching the growth.

What's the most extravagant business lunch you've ever had?

Not saying…

Which global city best matches your personality?

Portsmouth, for all the right reasons!

What would be your super-hero power?

Time travel, both for correction and advancement.

Complete this sentence. The worst thing about our rivals is… a wise man once said never to slag your competition off!

What makes you nervous?

Chair lifts in a ski resort, once they stop and reverse at speed back down the mountain.

If you could eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Does wine count? If not, it would have to be curry.

Sum up the channel in three words

Route to market.