Lee Hemani

Managing director, XMA

Tell us something most people won't know about you

I won the 2016 British Taekwondo championship (MWTA) "Coloured belt, 75kg section". 

What has been your highlight of 2018 so far?

Jose Mourinho's flawless display of man management style and tactics at Man United. I would give him a three-year contract extension.

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Will Ferrell.

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

My tech business competitors. It is they who keep XMA relevant; you need your counterparts to provide your platform for commercial ambition.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Alcohol, principally the four main groups: beer, wine, gin and brandy.

What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018?

I'm a plain speaker and not a fan of buzzwords. ‘Dog food', ‘sunset' and ‘bleeding edge' all work to piss me off.

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

Remove all benefits from the bone idle.

What's the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel?

Your employee base; it is teeming with untapped opportunity.

What is your most treasured possession?

I've got a large moon rock on my desk at home. My six-year-old found it on our driveway recently, wrapped it and gave it to me; it's my most treasured possession. My suspicion is that it is unlikely moon rock - I think it is actually fossilised dinosaur poo. Don't tell him though.

What do your family think you do all day?

I put the holes in Polo mints - it's an incredibly important job that pays for the private schools, cars, toys, clothes and anything else my family can think of to haemorrhage cash.

Who has been your mentor in business?

I have been very lucky in that I have had numerous knowledgeable and experienced people in my working (and domestic) life. But if I had to pick one, it's going to be bleeding obvious: my old man…

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