UK managing director, Exclusive Networks
Tell us something most people won't know about you
I'm mildly dyslexic; it's about the only word I can spell!
What has been your highlight of 2018 so far?
Reducing our staff churn to less than five per cent shows we're better at picking people and looking after them - positive HR!
Who would play you in the film of your life?
Most of the names that come to mind are dead now, worryingly. John Cleese could do it.
Which tech firm (other than your own!) do you most admire?
It has to be Apple. It keeps on innovating, its price stays high despite lots of cheaper competition and it seems to remain ‘staff centric'. That's not easy to do at all.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Champagne. I love the stuff.
What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018?
‘Life/work balance'.
What would be your first act if you were made Prime Minister?
Change the voting system to proportional representation, make voting mandatory and modernise the old-school system that keeps idiots who only care about themselves in power.
What's the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel?
Selling more to existing customers. So much time and effort is wasted trying to get new.
What is your most treasured possession?
I don't have one. I'm not into jewellery and have never been in one place long enough to buy or own any possession that I would treasure. I do like my car though - but that's on a lease.
What do your family think you do all day?
Golf, meet, drink, entertain, eat, meet and tell people what to do. Not far off!
Who has been your mentor in business?
I've a couple of people who have helped steer me, one French who I worked with on and off over 20 years. Always had a nice way of showing me the way, but not drawing the map. An English chap who I see every four months still, who just gives me straight talk, no axe to grind. It really helps to have a few people outside the day-to-day business that you can take time to chat problems and ideas through.
