Loay Lawrence

Commercial & communications director, Vohkus

Which tech figurehead do you admire the most?

There has to be a variety of people; here are some of them. The team at NASA that got Apollo 11 to the moon and back; Sir James Hamilton who was a key figure in the development of Concorde; Bill Gates from Microsoft; Richard Noble for Thrust SSC and now for his recent challenge Bloodhound; and Steve Jobs for changing the way we communicate.

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

The acknowledgment that the industry is moving to an annuity revenue platform as opposed to an outright purchase.

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

David Bowie, George Orwell and Michael Foot.

How has 2017 been for you?

It has been a growth period for Vohkus, and changing challenges.

What is the most extravagant business lunch you have ever had?

Obviously not memorable as I cannot remember. Fine dining is not a passion of mine; it is mainly good company that make the lunch.

Which global city best matches your personality?

Bilbao (only because I've been there recently). It boasts exceptional food, great wine, fantastic museum (Guggenheim), and great golf courses nearby.

What would be your super-hero power?

Time travel, as it would make forecasting easier.

Complete this sentence. The worst thing about our rivals is… I like them.

What makes you nervous?

Family and knowing that they are both safe and cared for.

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

Lebanese due to the variety of textures and tastes.

Sum up the channel in three words

Diverse, challenging, unpredictable.