Rufus Grig

Chief technology & strategy officer, Maintel

Tell us something most people won't know about you

In real life, I'm a musician. I got into technology as a struggling muso in the early 1990s to pay the bills. I'm just sticking at it until I get my big break.

What has been your highlight of 2018 so far?

A surprisingly enjoyable FIFA World Cup.

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Warwick Davies and Danny DeVito can argue over it.

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

ARM. My first proper experience of computing was the BBC Micro, and my first step towards a technology career was networking Acorn machines. How they grew from that to the designer of most of the chips on the planet is a real fairy tale.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

A season ticket at Southampton FC.

What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018?

There are so many to choose from, but the next person to ask me what opportunities I see in ‘the blockchain' might hear a rude word or two.

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

Find a way to stop the madness that is Brexit.

What's the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel?

Well I don't think it's blockchain, that's for sure! I think there's huge opportunity in providing deep integration services. The increasing richness of APIs vendors are offering across the technology world provide scope for integration services that both differentiate the service provider and add increasing value to the end user.

What is your most treasured possession?

I don't think I'm particularly materialistic (who does?) but it will be one or all of my instruments. Probably my cello.

What do your family think you do all day?

"Swanning around in posh hotels, eating out and travelling to nice places while I'm stuck here taking the #$@&%*! kids to football" sounds familiar.

Who has been your mentor in business?

I've had a few, but I think the most valuable lessons I've learned have come from leading some fantastic teams.