Mike Danson

CEO, Natilik

What has been your personal highlight of 2021?

Re-connecting face-to-face with people in both my personal and professional life. Uplifting and euphoric!

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

Not one person, but I would say anyone involved in the technology required to create, manufacture, distribute and administer the Covid-19 vaccines. Apparently 6.5 billion doses have now been administered in 184 countries (as of 10 October 2021).

Which one lockdown habit do you plan to keep going?

Hybrid working - I really do think we all need to make sure we find a new balance moving forward. Just going back to what we all used to do would feel like a wasted opportunity to change, improve and re-wire the way we work.

Which face-to-face industry event are you most excited to return to, and why?

I enjoy golf and this has been one fantastic way to keep meeting business contacts during the pandemic.

If you had the time to learn one new skill, what would it be?

It would be picking up my musical skills. I was invited to Chetham's school of music as a kid, but much preferred playing sport, so haven't done much musically for years and years, but would love to pick those skills up again - maybe in retirement!

If you could go back in time and tell your childhood self one thing, what would you say?

Stay true to the motto ‘do to others as you would have done to you'.

If you had to sing karaoke, what would be your song of choice?

I discovered an old classic recently with some good friends. Hall & Oates, You Make My Dreams.

Sum 2021 up in three words.

Better than 2020!