Neil Berville
Executive director, EMEA channels and alliances, Lenovo
Which tech figurehead do you admire the most?
The inventor of the world wide web - Sir Tim Berners-Lee. Not only did he lay the foundations for the third industrial revolution, but he did it without an objective for personal gain.
What's the biggest challenge facing the industry no-one is talking about yet?
The need for greater diversity across our workforce, providing fresh ideas and fresh approaches to business.
If you could invite three famous people to dinner, who would they be?
I've always loved stimulating, challenging conversation, and we'd have it in abundance with these three - David Bowie, Nelson Mandela and Eva Perón.
How has 2017 been for you?
A year when we've refined, revised and re-invigorated our programmes and our relationships with our partners.
What's the most extravagant business lunch you've ever had?
I much prefer the simple pleasures of life nowadays, but I do have fond and distant memories of the real jeopardy of eating the poisonous Fugu fish with the president of Sony (I'll let you decide whether the food or the company was more risky)!
Which global city best matches your personality?
Tokyo - it's a blend of the traditional and the unexpected.
What would be your super-hero power?
I've always wanted to be able to time travel. The implications are slightly mind-bending, but the chance to change things for the better, or do things over again is very appealing.
Complete this sentence. The worst thing about our rivals is… that they never give up. But nor do we!
What makes you nervous?
My daughter becoming a teenager next month…
If you could eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I'm going to cheat a bit and go for a cuisine - Italian would do me well for evermore.
Sum up the channel in three words
Relentless customer focus.
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