Managing director, Mirus
Which tech figurehead do you admire the most?
Lawrence Jones from UKFast. We've never met but he has a great-looking business with a similar focus to supporting his people that we try and create within Mirus.
What's the biggest challenge facing the industry no-one is talking about yet?
The ever-increasing desire of shareholders in owner-managed IT businesses who want to cash in. This could create a significant shake up in our industry over the coming years with some larger MSPs driving ahead and others failing from poorly thought-out acquisitions.
If you could invite three famous people to dinner, who would they be?
Oliver Reed - he would bring the booze; Robin Williams - he'd keep us all laughing; and Elvis Presley - he'd just be Elvis. What more do you need to say?
How has 2017 been for you?
It's been another great year for us. We've increased our recurring revenue significantly and also acquired a managed print business. We've also managed to grow the group to more than 100 employees.
What's the most extravagant business lunch you've ever had?
As a reward to my senior team I took them off in a very impressive chauffeur-driven vehicle to have lunch 150ft in the air on a platform raised by a crane, although we ended up having more fun singing in the vehicle on the journey home.
Which global city best matches your personality?
I'm a fun-loving, fairly sociable person so with my Irish roots it has to be Dublin.
What would be your super-hero power?
My daughter helped me with this and we agreed it should be the ability to fly and if I could have a second it would be incredible strength. I'm not sure either skills would help me in the IT industry though.
Complete this sentence. The worst thing about our rivals is… they keep trying to poach my awesome team!
What makes you nervous?
I'm sure like lots of people it's public speaking. Once I get going I really enjoy it, particularly if it's about my business or a subject I feel strongly about, but I hate those 10 minutes before I start.
If you could eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I'll eat pretty much anything, but it'd have to be curry. Unfortunately, since turning 40 my wife has tried to restrict my intake to keep my waistline in check so I don't enjoy as many as I'd like to.
Sum up the channel in three words
Supportive, vast, developing.
