Roger Harry

Founder, Circle IT

What was your dream career as a child?

As a farmer's boy seeing the vet treat the farm animals made me always want to be one. Then I realised how clever you needed to be for that, so I did a YTS instead.

What has been your personal highlight of 2019?

Bringing in a new management team and stepping aside. It was a bit of a change but all for the best!

Which famous person deserves a (gentle) slap?

It has to be Trump. Annoying as hell and full of sh*t.

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

My bike as it's worth more than the car, and my Garmin watch.

Which of your 2019 predictions have come to pass?

I never make predictions apart from the forecast for the business, which is always correct.

What TV show have you binge watched this year?

Line of Duty - who is "H"?

How has 2019 been from a business perspective?

OK. It could always be better but we're still here and profitable, so roll on 2020!

What annoys you most about your commute?

The five cars queuing at the one roundabout in Cardiff - gridlock. Some days there's as many as 10! I live a few miles from the office in the opposite direction of the traffic so it's easy but I am hardly ever in the office so commute for me could be anywhere in the UK, usually London or Scotland!

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

Nothing comes to mind other than sporting events and reliving one of them around Wales sport as there's not too many.

How do you explain the channel to people?

We sell IT stuff to businesses who don't know they need it.

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

My favourite would be Barcelona as it's an easy flight and lovely city if you go to the right places. My least favourite is Vegas as it's always massive conferences, which loses the value and you always think I could have stayed home and watched this on the PC and learnt as much!

What is the biggest challenge facing the channel in 2020?

Nothing major; same old I guess but the need to engage strategically with the C-level around business outcomes is the main driver that lots will struggle with to get a competitive edge. But it will just roll on as normal and some channel companies will get this and smash it.