Derek Jones

Managing director, Synaxon UK

Tell us something most people won't know about you

I was born and grew up in Germany and Singapore, never living in the UK until the age of 15.

What has been your highlight of 2018 so far?

Seeing the full launch of SynMSP, the new Synaxon membership community for independent professional MSPs.

Who would play you in the film of your life?

If I couldn't play myself then it would have to be the great Leonardo DiCaprio.

Which tech firm (other than your own!) do you most admire? A bit obvious I know, but for me it has always been Microsoft. It changed the world.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Keeping Japanese Koi Carp. It costs a small fortune.

What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018?

‘Digital transformation'.

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

Everything and anything I could do to make the UK ‘the' place in which to invest and do business.

What's the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel?

Managed services. While some may say it is already a mature market, I believe that we are seeing only the tip of the iceberg.

What is your most treasured possession?

I really don't have one. Possessions are materialistic - I live for the day with or without.

What do your family think you do all day?

They think that when I'm not socialising at tech channel events I'm playing on a PC all day.

Who has been your mentor in business?

Over the years I have met and worked with some incredible channel people and business leaders - many were inspirational, every one of them taught me something of value.