Mary Hunter

Business Unit Executive, Columbus UK

What was your dream career as a child?

I always wanted to be a lawyer. I loved the thought of defending the innocent and ensuring they were let go.

What has been your personal highlight of 2019?

Moving to our perfect family home that we were part of designing.

Which famous person deserves a (gentle) slap?

No one. Although there are many politicians I could name.

What two things (apart from family) would you grab if your house was on fire?

Phone and passports. We may as well grab a family holiday and create happy times versus being upset in a local hotel.

Which of your 2019 predictions have come to pass?

Customer experience and service will matter more in 2019 than ever before.

How has 2019 been from a business perspective?

A year of embracing and driving great innovation and change.

What annoys you most about your commute?

Sitting stationary in traffic.

How do you explain the channel to people?

A community of companies working in the technology industry.

What have been your favourite and least favourite partner conference destinations?

My favourite this year is Berlin. So much history all around you that can be fast experienced while travelling on business. My least favourite is Las Vegas. The heat when on business, the noise and the environment simply don't appeal.

What is the biggest challenge facing the channel in 2020?

The shortage of people. We all have to play our part to attract great people from other industries and return to work mums and the next generation to come join us.