Hayley Roberts

CEO, Distology

What has been your personal highlight of 2021?

My work-related highlight from 2021 has been securing investment in Distology. It's the best decision I've ever made to explore the PE route for growth and I'm so excited for our future as a business. I have some excellent key people in the business now and feel so well supported for our exciting journey.

Personally, it was getting away on holiday. I know I am lucky to be able to do so as we have all missed a break from the monotony in the last 18 months. I really appreciated that time to reflect and relax.

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

I've actually just googled tech figureheads to see if it sparked any ‘oh yeah, them' thoughts… but sadly it didn't. Plus, they are all the same men every year, so we need a bit of a shake-up on tech figureheads!

Which one lockdown habit do you plan to keep going?

Probably (and this is dull) but exercising more and upping my mileage running. Although I have balanced this out with not getting up quite as early as I used to and appreciating the little things in life like taking time to have a breakfast.

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

There are two that I enjoy and always see an ROI, not just financially but in terms of people engagement and idea sharing. The first would be Infosec as I get to see most of the people I have met in the industry and the second is NISC (National Information Security Conference) an event I always thoroughly enjoy!

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

A language. We work in an industry where we're constantly speaking to people from different countries and being able to speak the local language plays a big part in building a feeling of trust in relationships. For that reason, I would love to be able to flit between several methods of communication and feel connected to a wider range of people.

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

Always trust your gut feeling! Any attempt to swerve it will only ever bring you back to your initial thoughts.

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

Dignity by Deacon Blue.

Sum 2021 up in three words.

Better than 2020.