Alicia Shepherd

Sales director, Terra Computer

Tell us something most people won't know about you

I make a good lemon cheesecake. Now and again on birthdays I'm known to make one for the sales team to enjoy - the empty dish tells me it must be OK.

What has been your highlight of 2018 so far?

Being asked to join the board and being promoted to sales director - leading the sales team and developing the culture for a forward-thinking company has been a privilege.

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Jennifer Lawrence to play the parts where things have been tough and it's taken a fighting spirit to get through; Amy Schumer for the laughter and humour; and Meryl Streep for the rest of it - now that would be one hell of a film.

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

Virgin Galactic, pushing limits, pushing boundaries and reaching for the stars.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Liquorice Allsorts - the coconut rings are the best. I'm always in trouble at home for opening bags of them and eating the ones I like and leaving the others.

What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018?

‘aaS' - it seems to be cropping up everywhere. I question whether everyone who is using it can offer as-a-Service; the industry has way too many three-letter acronyms.

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

Wow, what a controversial question! I will let other A-Listers deal with serious stuff. I would make it compulsory that all government-funded bodies buy a Terra notebook.

What's the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel?

Win 7 Pro - there are still thousands of companies using it and thinking February 2020 is a long way off but the reality is action needs to be taken now and more noise made about it. The opportunity for all manufacturers, not just PC and notebook manufacturers, is enormous.

What is your most treasured possession?

That's a tricky one as I'm not really sentimental but I guess it would be my Breitling watch.

What do your family think you do all day?

Talk on the phone and stay in hotels.

Who has been your mentor in business?

I have been fortunate to work with some great influencers over the years and from them have learnt how to do business and perhaps as important in some case how not to do business. I aspire to being a mentor to the future channel execs that I am fortunate enough to work with today and hope in years to come I will have played a role in their growth and development.