Paul Hunter

Global channel chief, HPE

What was your dream career as a child?

I didn't really have a dream job in mind, but I always had an interest in business, which I got from my dad. I landed in sales by accident. When I first worked for NCR it was where the fun seemed to be.

What has been your personal highlight of 2019?

My wife got a new job at Pivotal. We had a family reunion on the US east coast, where we all met for a long weekend. Work wise, I am excited with the collaboration we enjoy with our partners and the results that are coming from that.

Which famous person deserves a (gentle) slap?

Damir Skomina, the Champions League final referee in 2019, who essentially spoiled the next 89 minutes of the game for all independent (if there's such a thing) watchers. My son is a Spurs fan as well, so it took some time for him to manage his emotions.

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

A box of family memorabilia and the family passports. We'd need a holiday.

Which of your 2019 predictions have come to pass?

I would continue to fail to listen to my own advice. There is a lot of advice I give myself which I don't have the discipline to follow. We continue to get better as a company every day.

What TV show have you binge watched this year?

This is a fairly long list. The most impactful was Chernobyl. But I have a guilty pleasure of watching History Channel reality TV series like American Pickers.

How has 2019 been from a business perspective?

Rewarding, challenging, changing, stressful, fun, energizing. All the reasons why being in business is enjoyable.

What annoys you most about your commute?

It depends on the method of transport, but the trains in California are infrequent. There can be one an hour at peak times and they are very slow. It reminds me how good European train services are. At the same time it's difficult to be annoyed when the sun is shining.

If you could witness one past event, what would it be?

Landing man on the moon. I'd love to have a sense for the excitement in the art of the possible that existed at that time. I suspect it was a great time for global imagination.

How do you explain the channel to people?

A network of thousands of companies around the world, that help customers provide an IT service to their business, utilising the solutions of hundreds of technology companies.

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

Orlando I like the least. There's very little personality to be had there. We've had great partner events in Madrid which I enjoyed (except when the taxi drivers were striking).

What is the biggest challenge facing the channel in 2020?

Keeping their expertise relevant.