Christopher Roche

Managing director, Celerity

Which tech figurehead do you admire the most?

The figureheads at the top of the new tech companies are a different breed to those that have come before, in that they are more interested in changing the world for a large number of people than making money. From this for the products that are making the most seismic shifts in an industry (Tesla, Hyperloop, Space X) - Elon Musk.

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

I think in the coming years there will be a skills shortage in the more traditional and fundamental disciplines and practices in IT. There is fantastic young talent coming through and doing some wonderful sexy new things with IoT and so on. However, the lights need to be kept on, and the fundamental skills that have been in abundance over the last couple of decades seem to be in decline or going out of fashion.

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

Thomas Moore, Martin Luther King and John Lydon.

How has 2017 been for you?

Excellent, for Celerity - 2017 has been a year of sustained growth on all fronts. Infrastructure solution sales have grown in number and revenue both in existing and new logos. Our MSP/CSP business is growing, becoming stronger and has a wider portfolio of solutions to meet the growing demands of customers. Our security practice has grown and we have a body of unique Celerity generated IP around detection, neutralisation and remediation of cyber threats. We are looking to expand this capability in 2018 with the addition of a cyber forensics practice into our portfolio.

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

Probably best and safest to say that I can't remember. In the 1990s there were some very long and boozy lunches with customers and vendors (with no intention whatsoever of going back to our desks) which were great fun, but don't happen any more. Shame really.

Which global city best matches your personality?

New York. Fast-paced, gritty in parts, great fun, honest, down to earth and always good for a drink or two!

What would be your super-hero power?

Teleportation - so I no longer have to spend hours travelling on motorways!

Complete this sentence. The worst thing about our rivals is… they and their offerings are all beginning to look a bit like each other, which can encourage a race to the bottom mentality, resulting in little to no diversity in offerings and very little value actually added to customers.

What makes you nervous?

My wife and daughter shopping together.

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

Fish or any type of seafood.

Sum up the channel in three words

Constantly changing beast.