Emma de Sousa

Managing Director UK, SVP Marketing EMEA, Insight

What was your dream career as a child?

I wanted to be an air hostess and travel the world.

What has been your personal highlight of 2019?

Spending time with my family is always a highlight. Holidaying with them this year has been extra-special - at seven and three years old, they're the perfect age for guaranteed fun.

Which famous person deserves a (gentle) slap?

Just about everyone involved in world politics right now!

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

My bed (if I could carry it) - it's the comfiest thing in the world. And a fabulous pair of shoes!

What TV show have you binge watched this year?

Succession - it's outrageous and I'm hooked!

How has 2019 been from a business perspective?

It's been an incredibly exciting year - we're seeing the investments in our services practices paying off, we've hired some exceptional new talent and extended our client reach through the acquisition of PCM.

What annoys you most about your commute?

Other people ahead of me at the Costa drive through!

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

It would have to be my parents' wedding. They've been married for more than 40 years and are the best role models I could wish for. To be able to witness their special day would be amazing.

How do you explain the channel to people?

For me, the channel is all about connections - it's about connecting clients with the right technology solutions that will ultimately help them achieve the business outcomes they are looking for.

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

Lake Como is my favourite. It's a great place to escape from the chaos and really focus. Vegas is my worst because it's the exact opposite!

What is the biggest challenge facing the channel in 2020?

The biggest challenge continues to be attracting and retaining A+ talent. As leaders, building solid teams is the most important part of what we do - our success depends on it.