Cliff Fox

Group chief operating officer, Pure Technology Group

Tell us something most people won't know about you

I once took three penalties at Peter Shilton (Google him if you're under 30). I scored two out of three and then asked him why he didn't save one in 1990 against Germany. He was OK with it - nice bloke.

What has been your highlight of 2018 so far?

Work, record growth for the group, reflecting huge effort and great teamwork. Home, taking my son to Paris for the weekend and seeing PSG win the league - a bit different to watching Bolton Wanderers, although their miraculous escape from relegation at the end of last season was a highlight in itself.

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Are you serious? Is this question designed for narcissists? OK, if I have to pick - Andy Serkis, with loads of CGI.

Which tech firm (other than your own!) do you most admire?

I guess it still has to be Apple - its focus on quality and attention to detail keeps it as the world's most valuable tech stock, still. Tesla has many similar attributes, great vision.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Kraken Rum with Jamaican Ginger Beer and lime. That's all I'm admitting to.

What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018?

‘Reach out', ‘granular', ‘GDPR' (still echoing), ‘leverage', ‘disrupt', ‘ecosystem' - take your pick. Is it irritating or just funny?

What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister?

Reverse Brexit under an Executive Order (we have those don't we?).

What's the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel?

Innovation - developing services in IoT and VR, for example, will deliver the next cloud-like opportunities in the future. Better lead than follow?

What is your most treasured possession?

The watch my father bought me.

What do your family think you do all day?

"Am I bovvered?" came the reply.

Who has been your mentor in business?

There's no one person. I've been lucky to work with some talented, dedicated and unusual people - I've learnt from many and thank them all.