Neil Sawyer

Commercial channel director UKI, HP

Tell us something most people won't know about you

I am a qualified football referee.

What has been your highlight of 2018 so far?

It has been a stellar year for HP: becoming Top 3 vendor in MPS; retaining #1 in PC sales; launching HP Device-as-a-Service with our channel partners; and working with more partners than ever before. Not bad!

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Harry Potter (no other reason apart from I look like him - apparently).

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

I admire any tech firm that invests and learns to stay relevant. Many come and go but few reinvent.

What is your guiltiest pleasure? Most of our partners know they can win me over with Walkers Sensations crisps or Cheetos!

What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018?

There are loads I hate: ‘circle back', ‘choice point', ‘double-click', ‘guru', ‘rockstar' and ‘bleeding edge'. Just use normal words.

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

Remove Further/Higher Education fees for young adults.

What's the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel?

As a service billing on workspace technology.

What is your most treasured possession?

My family and being healthy.

What do your family think you do all day?

My son points to every plane he sees in the sky and says my name so I assume he thinks I am a pilot.

Who has been your mentor in business?

My dad has always been great. At work, I have only had a couple of long-standing line managers who have helped me learn and develop in strategy and finance. The whole channel are brilliant mentors. I have learned so much about our trade and different perspectives.

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