Mark Hatton

Director, Kite Distribution

Which tech figurehead do you admire the most?

Sir Tim Berners-Lee. He did what he did because it was possible, not because it was profitable for him personally.

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

The security issues likely to arise from driverless cars and the widespread use of robotics.

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

Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels and Mao Zedong. Given that their ideas and policies brought complete poverty to the masses and are today discredited, I wonder if after dinner they might have a quiet word with a certain Jeremy from Islington North.

How has 2017 been for you?

It has been a year of great development at Kite - new people, new vendors, new partners. We are looking forward to 2018 with huge optimism.

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

Extravagant lunches are not really my thing - I once had a slice of Bakewell tart after my Starbucks sandwich if that counts.

Which global city best matches your personality?

Lisbon - it's old but an exciting place to be.

What would be your super-hero power?

It would have to be the ability to fly - if only to get my own back on the pigeons in Trafalgar Square.

Complete this sentence. The worst thing about our rivals is… that disappointingly they're pretty good.

What makes you nervous?

Completing questionnaires.

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

I could eat lasagne every day.

Sum up the channel in three words

Increasingly thin margins.