Derek Jones

Managing director, Synaxon UK

Which tech figurehead do you admire the most?

This can only be Bill Gates. Having been in the tech channel from the mid 80s, I grew up with Microsoft, from MS-DOS through to Windows and now Office 365. I guess that like so many of us, I owe my career to Mr Gates.

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

People are talking about it but we have not even scratched the surface around the ‘Internet of Everything'.

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

Adolf Hitler (to ask why?), Sir Winston Churchill (to ask why?), and Nelson Mandela (to referee).

How has 2017 been for you?

Computing as a service is incredible. We are on the crest of a wave - a year of change.

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

In South Korea as a guest of Samsung. Incredible people, fantastic organisation.

Which global city best matches your personality?

Las Vegas. Great fun, maybe a tad flamboyant at times, but always focused on improving customer experience and always prepared to take a punt.

What would be your super-hero power?

Being able to predict (accurately) the future.

Complete this sentence. The worst thing about our rivals is… they go bust and reappear in the channel every few years with a similar company name and similar offering.

What makes you nervous?

Other than my wife, not a lot.

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

Chinese buffet - lots of choice and a good mixed diet.

Sum up the channel in three words

Dynamic, pioneering, exciting.