Claire Hopkins

Founding director, Ideal

What has been your personal highlight of 2021?

Hands down my highlight of 2021has been taking part in the Equinox Skinny Dip organised by @vitaminseaswimming to raise money for Mind. Meeting 17 other women on the beach at 6am and swimming naked under the full harvest moon as the sun rose was magical and something I will remember forever.

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

Soma Sara who founded Everyone's Invited and has used tech to create a safe platform for survivors of sexual abuse in schools and universities to share their stories anonymously. Since 8 March 2021, more than 54,000 anonymous testimonies have been submitted and shared on Everyone's Invited, which has forced conversations and institutional action to challenge rape culture and sexual harassment.

Which one lockdown habit do you plan to keep going?

Online yoga.

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

Back in February this year, Yvonne Matzk had the brilliant idea of creating The Channel Community to connect people working in the IT channel who want to help support individuals reach their full potential through mentoring. We have spent most of 2021 meeting online to set up this community which now has 153 members, connecting mentees with mentors. Getting together in real-life last month was exciting and gave us an opportunity to celebrate what the community has become.

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

Piano.

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

Being right is over-rated. Listen and learn instead.

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

Jolene by Dolly Parton.

Sum 2021 up in three words.

Just keep swimming.