Gary Haycock-West

Chief executive and founder, Blue Cube Security

What was your dream career as a child?

To work in the police force, but life had other plans for me. I went in a different direction and was running my own businesses by the age of 31 before setting up Blue Cube Security in 2000.

What has been your personal highlight of 2019?

This is an easy one - watching my children grow and develop into their next stages of education, careers and adulthood.

Which famous person deserves a (gentle) slap?

It would have to be Donald Trump. As a provocative leader he is also stimulating action, but it's whether that action is positive or negative and if the world be a better place because of him!?

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

Without a doubt my classic cars and photos albums - my family would probably disapprove of that order!

Which of your 2019 predictions have come to pass?

First, I would highlight the erosion of margin within technology deals, which in turn has enabled us to push the growth of our services business through our Cynergy professional services team. Something else that I predicted and see being a huge focus over the coming months and years is the maturity of the public cloud messaging and route to market.

What TV show have you binge watched this year?

With my interest in the military I came across Combat Dealers on Sky Discovery. Combat Dealers follows the adventures of Bruce Crompton (Essex lad like myself), a buyer and seller of old military kit. He travels around the barns and battlefields of Europe and the old Eastern Bloc, hunting down everything from old radio kits to Second World War tanks.

How has 2019 been from a business perspective?

What can I say? Roll on the Brexit deal so we can get some clarity back in the market. The margin in deals this year have been the tightest I have ever known. It would seem that business is no longer based on relationships and value, but just on price.

What annoys you most about your commute?

Being a business owner, I have ensured my commute is very convenient with a minimal journey time to the office. The only way it could get better is if the company worked in my house!

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

I would like to have witnessed The Berlin Wall falling on 9 November 1989 to see families and friends reuniting after a very challenging political period.

How do you explain the channel to people?

The simple term that I have always found to work is that it is like owning a shop - the shop owner buys from a wholesaler (distribution) and sells this on.

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

My favourite would have to be Monaco with its extravagance and wealth. My least would have to be a basement with no character somewhere in London.

What is the biggest challenge facing the channel in 2020?

The fallout and political clarity of Brexit and how we get back to running business as usual.