Guy Hocking

Group managing director, Utilize & Ignite Business Communications

Tell us something most people won't know about you

I can play the trombone.

What has been your highlight of 2018 so far? What a year! A particular highlight for me was raising more than £15,000 for a local hospice with a team of 16 from our group companies by climbing the three highest mountains in the UK within 24 hours. You can achieve great things when you pull together.

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Harrison Ford - with his proven track record of playing characters with bundles of determination and generally a successful resolution. 

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

As obvious as it sounds it has to be Microsoft. It has really transformed its business over the past few years and Satya Nadella has breathed fresh life into the company. The cultural shift he has implemented and overseen has allowed it to push on and innovate some amazing technology.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Consuming a multi-pack of Discos when I'm having a bad day.

What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018?

Although guilty of using this catch-all bucket phrase myself, I have to say ‘digital transformation'. Do a Google search for ‘digital transformation' and you'll get more than 11.5 million results covering pretty much any investment in technology ever made, ever.

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

To create an agency or drop-in clinic with quick, simple access to meet mental health needs. Life is stressful and too many lives are lost or potential not met because we fail to place importance on self-care.

What's the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel?

Education. The now almost continual need to educate our customers on all aspects of technology and the plethora of mediums available to do so is a huge opportunity for us all.

What is your most treasured possession?

As sad as this sounds, my Surface Pro. It is literally my life. Closely followed by my climbing rope and ice axes (which keep me alive and able to use my Surface Pro).

What do your family think you do all day?

In the words of my son: "Does emails, phone calls and fixes computers." Not bad.

Who has been your mentor in business?

I am fortunate enough to have had several amazing mentors over my time in business and that is part of why I love this job so much - you get to work with some amazing people. Perhaps most notably our founder and chairman Warren Davies has helped show me what it takes to lead a great business. Putting the world to rights while walking the dog with my wife Emma has also got me over some massive hurdles over the years too.

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