John Pepper

CEO & founder, Managed 24/7

Tell us something most people won't know about you

I am a bit of an adrenaline junky. Fan of rollercoasters, things that go fast and things that go up in the air, so I have never been a big golf or fishing fan.

What has been your highlight of 2018 so far?

Sitting with our software development team as we prepare for launch of Predictably in 2019. It is a monumental project that I believe and hope will be a positive force for the service provider community.

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Matt Lucas with Greg Davis narrating.

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

Despite the ups and downs, I still admire Tesla and all the plates that Mr Musk juggles. The incredible changes that Satya Nadella has made to Microsoft is also something that I admire greatly.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Lego Technics. There, I said it. There is something quite magical in sitting and following beautifully crafted instructions and ‘switching off' for an hour or two making something.

What is the most irritating tech buzzphrase of 2018?

‘Web 2.0', ‘3.0', ‘4.0' etc.

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

Force a referendum on Brexit.

What's the biggest untapped opportunity facing the channel?

Closing the skills gap with the use of automation and real-time decision-making tools.

What is your most treasured possession?

A new, unopened shrink-wrapped original 1980s Sinclair Spectrum 48k. One day that must be worth something surely?

What do your family think you do all day?

They are often in the office and hear my war stories every night so I think they have a pretty good feeling for what I do each day now.

Who has been your mentor in business? I have never had a mentor. Hopefully in the future I would make a good mentor for somebody.