Alastair Bell

What has been your personal highlight of 2020?

My first child, Rory, graduating in politics and conflict studies and securing a graduate role in business development. I'd also set myself a goal of losing 10kg working with some excellent martial arts PTs, and am almost there. The post-COVID options as explained to me were "Hunk, chunk or drunk" so let's see.

Which three celebrities would you invite to a Zoom party?

Joe Strummer, Leonardo da Vinci and Jodie Comer - for all the right reasons.

What has been your guiltiest lockdown pleasure?

I have no guilt around anything pleasurable! If I had a new avenue it would be a variety of box sets, some good, some not so good but certainly mostly entertaining.

Which tech figurehead has inspired you most this year, and why?

Bill Gates for his philanthropic achievements with his foundation, achieving accurate spend on healthcare and education to be rolled out globally.

What piece of technology, or app, have you not been able to do without during the pandemic?

My iPhone and iPad for tech, and for an app I'd say Squalk, partly as I founded the app but mostly as it addresses limitations found on other telco and comms apps.

If you could be anyone else for a week, who would you be and what would you do?

Elon Musk. It would be interesting to know what technology developments he has on his roadmap that will disrupt and potentially change the world.

Do you miss face-to-face events?

Yes, I miss people and doing business face to face. Zoom and Teams are far more efficient but you learn a lot about someone over a long lunch.

How will COVID leave its mark on the way the channel operates long term?

For new business sales a longer sales cycle, for established relationships an upturn as customers work better with established and complementary partners within the channel.