Hayley Mooney

General manager, Crayon UK

What has been your personal highlight of 2021?

Without a doubt, my promotion to general manager of Crayon UK was probably the one that springs to mind. I'm so proud to have been given the opportunity to lead the UK team and forge our focus for the future. Through optimisation, we can deliver innovation and drive sustainability for our customers, all underpinned by our fundamental belief that the power of technology can deliver the greater good.

If you had asked me 20 years ago in the early days of my burgeoning career that as a female, I would be promoted to GM of one of the most exciting and innovative IT services companies in the UK by the time I was 40, I may not have believed you, but that may be why I love this industry so much, for the opportunities that it presents no matter who you are.

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

Our new global CEO Melissa Mulholland took the helm of Crayon Group earlier this year following 12 years at Microsoft. Since joining Crayon, she has been a beacon of inspiration to myself and the wider Crayon family, championing that our fundamental values serve as the foundation for future growth and success of Crayon worldwide.

Which one lockdown habit do you plan to keep going?

I think the lockdown gave so many of us an opportunity to evaluate our work-life balance and to actually do something about it. By regaining the hours ordinarily wasted sitting in traffic on the M25, we can now put them to good use and I am looking after my personal health for the first time in years. I am running and exercising on a daily basis and loving it!

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

Microsoft Inspire has got to be on that list somewhere, but more importantly, I am looking forward to seeing and sharing a drink with our customers, partners and suppliers this Christmas.

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

I would love to learn to play the piano. My son has lessons and I only wish I had the skill and time to join in!

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

Slow down and enjoy the moment. Time flies.

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

Eminem, The Way I Am - ha ha ha! Anyone who knows me knows this to be true!

Sum 2021 up in three words.

Wet, windy and wild.