Cliff Fox

Group chief operating officer, Pure Technology Group

What was your dream career as a child?

An astronaut but I wouldn't have cut the maths.

What has been your personal highlight of 2019?

Getting on the EA FIFA 20 beta trial - it made me very popular at home for a change.

Which famous person deserves a (gentle) slap?

Just line up the whole of the House of Commons for a mass slapping session. Sell tickets; it'd be hugely popular.

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

My watch and my phone. I'm insured, in the cloud, backed-up and we need a clear out anyway.

Which of your 2019 predictions have come to pass?

No predictions made; life's too short for that shit.

What TV show have you binge-watched this year? Game of Thrones - I watched seasons 1-7 in six weeks flat before the start of season 8. Fantastic story, characters and cinematography.

How has 2019 been from a business perspective?

It's been great; we've closed another record-breaking year and are going from strength to strength.

What annoys you most about your commute?

There are just too many cars on the road and it's a problem that's only increasing each year. It's time to make cars fly, that'd definitely make the commute more interesting.

If you could witness one important past event, what would it be? Bletchley Park when they cracked the enigma. I am really pleased that Alan Turing will be on the new £50 note but shame on our nation how he was treated.

How do you explain the channel to people?

I don't. I tell everyone I work in insurance, so they don't ask me to fix something.

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

Seychelles and Reading - no explanation needed I guess.

What is the biggest challenge facing the channel in 2020?

Brexit and the aftermath from the end of October 2019 or beyond. By the time this is published we'll be dealing with whatever that looks like - deal or no deal, general election, hung parliament or extended indecision. It's not great for anyone, is it?